PSC 441 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Practical Number, Missouri Plan
Document Summary
Pretty much anyone can become a judge. No constitutional restrictions, but there are state restrictions. Licensed as lawyers and practices for ~10 years. Judges on all but the lower courts are attorneys. Then they must win election or appointment. Most judges, especially those on higher courts, come from higher-than-average family status. 1977 96% white, 98% male on major state trial courts. 2008 12% of state judges were minorities. 2010 26% of all judges were female. 2010 all but 2 state supreme courts had at least 1 female. 2010 30% of all supreme court seats (state or federal) were women. Most at some point practiced private law. Lawyers who work for government have advantage in coming to the attention of those who appoint judges. Most judges were active in politics prior to selection. People tend to favor political activists: [1] selection of judges is to reward political supporters [2] judge selectors are political activists themselves.
