System for selecting judges in need of review

The Daily Leader, 1/28/8

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice James Smith is suggesting it is time to take a look at how appellate judges are selected in the state.

Smith’s comments last week come following the November federal indictments of power plaintiffs attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs and others in an alleged bribery scheme involving a north Mississippi circuit judge. Since individuals’ ethics are part of the equation, Smith said his suggestions probably would not address concerns related to the federal case, but he is interested in a review of a judge selection process.

We have to agree that a review of how judges are chosen is appropriate.