Steel pleads to high court for juvenile job

Dan Kulin

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003 | 9:34 a.m.

Family Court Judge Cynthia Dianne Steel asked the state Supreme Court Tuesday to void a vote by her fellow Family Court judges to replace her as a Juvenile Court judge.

Steel said she hoped her challenge would prompt the Supreme Court to change the rules for selecting and keeping a juvenile judge to slow the turnover in that position. She argued that the court's rules say a juvenile judge should be elected by a vote of all District Court judges or appointed by the chief judge. She was elected by a vote of the judges of the Family Court.

But Chief Justice Deborah Agosti and Justice Nancy Becker said they would not make any new rules in this case. The justices' decision will be based solely on whether Steel is correct when she says the process used for selecting a juvenile judge conflicted with the rules.

Arguing against Steel before the Supreme Court, presiding Family Court Judge Steven Jones said there is no conflict, and it is up to the Family Court judges to pick who will preside over the juvenile court.

Jones said there hasn't been a problem with this process in the 12 years since Family Court began, and Steel's is the first complaint about the process.

"If it's not broke don't fix it," Jones said.

Until the Supreme Court rules on the matter, Family Court will operate under the assumption that Steel will be replaced by Family Court Judge William Voy at the end of the year.

Jones said he expects the Supreme Court will rule on the matter within two weeks.

Even if successful, Steel is not assured of remaining in juvenile court. Steel, who was re-elected to a second six-year term in Family Court last year, said she hasn't spoken with District Chief Judge Michael Douglas about whether he would like to see her stay juvenile judge. Steel also doesn't know how a vote by all the county judges would turn out.

Steel said she would like to see the process of selecting a juvenile court judge changed so first there would be a vote on whether to retain the current judge. If the votes went against the sitting judge, then there would be an election to replace that judge.

Steel also said she is considering asking the Legislature to change the law so the voters elect a Juvenile Court judge directly.

Steel said the frequent changing of Juvenile Court judges disrupts programs and cases, as the new judge needs time to familiarize themselves with the court.