Letter: Missouri system for picking judges works

Sunday, July 29, 2007 | 7:04 a.m.

I have followed with interest the on going situation with District Judge Elizabeth Halverson. The voters of Clark County obviously didn't realize what they were getting when they cast their ballots. The turmoil in her courtroom and judicial misconduct jeopardize the rights and freedoms of all.

The Halverson situation points out the need to educate ourselves about the proposed changes for selecting judges. As a recent transplant from Missouri, where we have a very good system for choosing and retaining judges, I would highly recommend that Nevada adopt the same judicial structure.

It works like this: The governor selects a judge from a panel of three (or five) submitted for consideration. Every two years (or four), all judges are submitted to the voters for retention. If a judge has misbehaved or garnered enough adverse publicity because of a misstep or infraction, the voters have the opportunity to remove him from office. The system works and yet still allows voter input.

I believe the current system in Nevada proves that incompetence can be the result. How can the public be expected to know the competence, experience and personality quirks of any potential jurist? The current fiasco with Halverson has cost the public untold dollars and embarrassment, not to mention future potential lawsuits related to her short tenure on the bench.

I encourage everyone to speak with their representatives in Carson City and take the time to learn about the proposed change in the selection of judges. I know the proposed Missouri system works.

Barbara Langley, Las Vegas