Importance of electing good judges
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This fall, citizens from across Louisiana will make major choices about who will lead our state and nation. Most everyone will be well- informed about the choices for president, senator and Congress, however beneath these marquee races on the ballot will be critical races that will significantly affect the direction of our communities.
The judicial contests across Louisiana in October and November will determine the direction of our courts for the next six to 10 years, and in some instances, the decisions of the judges we choose will affect generations.
At stake will be two Supreme Court of Louisiana seats, many judges from Louisiana’s five Courts of Appeal, and numerous District Court and Family Court judges across the state. By and large, these races will receive less exposure, less coverage and less scrutiny than the more well-funded and popular candidates toward the top of the ticket.
In the past, judicial contests have lagged far behind their counterparts in voter education and voter participation that belies their importance. The decisions that our judges make affect us every day. Their decisions determine where we can go and what we can do; their decisions influence the costs of the goods and services from health care to liability premiums; and in some cases, their decisions can determine a person’s innocence or guilt.
We trust that they will apply the law in an unbiased and impartial manner, regardless of their personal feelings or relationships. Tragically, this is not always the case.
In June of this year, two Caddo Parish judges were convicted of corruption and racketeering for accepting bribes. Many will also remember the FBI investigation “Operation: Wrinkled Robe” that resulted in the conviction of two Jefferson Parish judges for accepting bribes and other abuses of power.
In addition, in a study published earlier this year in the Tulane Law Review, two professors discovered what they call an “unusually high correlation between campaign contributors and decisions in favor of those contributors.” A fair and independent judiciary requires an informed and active electorate.
This fall it is critical that the voters of Louisiana get to know their candidates for judge and make their voices heard on election day because good judges matter.
Fred Shumate, executive director
Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch
Baton Rouge
The judicial contests across Louisiana in October and November will determine the direction of our courts for the next six to 10 years, and in some instances, the decisions of the judges we choose will affect generations.
At stake will be two Supreme Court of Louisiana seats, many judges from Louisiana’s five Courts of Appeal, and numerous District Court and Family Court judges across the state. By and large, these races will receive less exposure, less coverage and less scrutiny than the more well-funded and popular candidates toward the top of the ticket.
In the past, judicial contests have lagged far behind their counterparts in voter education and voter participation that belies their importance. The decisions that our judges make affect us every day. Their decisions determine where we can go and what we can do; their decisions influence the costs of the goods and services from health care to liability premiums; and in some cases, their decisions can determine a person’s innocence or guilt.
We trust that they will apply the law in an unbiased and impartial manner, regardless of their personal feelings or relationships. Tragically, this is not always the case.
In June of this year, two Caddo Parish judges were convicted of corruption and racketeering for accepting bribes. Many will also remember the FBI investigation “Operation: Wrinkled Robe” that resulted in the conviction of two Jefferson Parish judges for accepting bribes and other abuses of power.
In addition, in a study published earlier this year in the Tulane Law Review, two professors discovered what they call an “unusually high correlation between campaign contributors and decisions in favor of those contributors.” A fair and independent judiciary requires an informed and active electorate.
This fall it is critical that the voters of Louisiana get to know their candidates for judge and make their voices heard on election day because good judges matter.
Fred Shumate, executive director
Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch
Baton Rouge
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