By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The U.S. Supreme Court issued a key ruling Wednesday on the way New York chooses judges for the State Supreme Court.
The nation's highest court upheld the current system, which gives much power to political party bosses in the selection of judicial candidates. The ruling reverses two lower court decisions that called for reforms. Unsuccessful candidates for judgeships and a watchdog group had filed the initial suit challenging the way judges are selected.
Officially, delegates to a judicial nominating convention select candidates to run in the general election. But University at Buffalo Law Professor James Gardner says the reality is much different.
It may be ugly, says Gardner, but the High Court ruled the process is not unconstitutional. Still, he says that didn't stop some of the judges from calling for reforms.
So while the court can no longer order reforms, Gardner says the State Legislature still has the option of making changes to the way New York selects its trial judges.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Mark Scott's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.