Blogroll

Losing out with judicial elections

During Tuesday’s primary, voters in my judicial circuit (two counties) will see a “nonpolitical” ballot for Circuit Court judge, the state’s trial court level. We will choose which two of three candidates will face each other in one of the two contested races for judge in the circuit in the November election. (There’s only two […]

Judge: Avoid procreation while on probation

It’s one of those things that is humorous but then causes you stop and think. As reported by the Mitchell Daily Republic, in suspending a three-year prison sentence for a man convicted of meth possession, Judge Tim Bjorkman also told the defendant, “You will use your best efforts to avoid procreation while on probation.” Can […]

Where should (a) justice reside?

I think the media missed the forest for the trees in covering yesterday’s S.D. Supreme Court opinion on the appointment of members of that court. Much of the coverage seems to focus on the thought that any lawyer in the state can apply for any open judicial position. But that is not the crux or […]

Florida judges may have fewer lawyer “friends”

Social media is making its presence felt in many aspects of life. In Florida, that includes the state judiciary.

The Florida Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee last month issued an opinion on the use of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, in the context of the judiciary and judicial elections. Among other things, a judge […]