Selection and Retention—A Judge's Perspective

If all persons are to be treated equally in our courts, the process of selecting judges to oversee courts must be one that insures selection of efficient, intelligent and compassionate judges. It must also be one that insures selection and retention of judges who are truly able to administer, and give the impression that they are administering, their duties impartially to all. Toward this end, the Citizens' Committee on Washington Courts examined the current process for selecting judges and recommended a constitutional amendment which, if approved, would substantially improve the process by which judges are now selected in Washington state.