Judges affirm policy on politics in courtrooms

Bill Gang

Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998 | 11:10 a.m.

Although he had resigned as a district judge to run for Congress, Don Chairez donned judicial robes during the campaign to film a television commercial in a district courtroom.

That didn't sit well with his opponent, Shelley Berkley, who won the election. She complained that nonjudges should not have access to public courtrooms for political purposes.

The controversy forced judges Wednesday to evaluate access to judicial facilities and who controls it. In the end, they decided to retain the traditional system, under which judges control access to their own courtrooms. But the decision was not without controversy.

For some judges, who admitted they had used court facilities to tape their own commercials before they were elected, the controversy was complicated by conflict.

The situation, noted District Judge Jack Lehman, was "embarrassing."

District Judge Sally Loehrer questioned the propriety of Chairez being filmed as a judge after he had left the job, but Chief District Judge Myron Leavitt noted that Chairez had the permission of a judge to use the courtroom.

Leavitt lamented having to handle the telephone call from Berkley, during which he said she "went nuts."

"Let her go nuts," responded District Judge Donald Mosley, who advocated retaining the traditional system.

Under the policy, those using courtrooms will have to compensate the county for any expenses incurred and hide any distinguishing features, such as a judge's nameplate, from view of cameras.