Should justices be appointed or elected?

The Clarion-Ledger, 10/22/8

In the aftermath of a judicial bribery scandal that brought down one of the state’s most powerful lawyers, candidates for a hotly contested state Supreme Court seat gave a crowd of potential voters Tuesday their thoughts on whether judges should be elected or appointed.

Two of the three candidates for the Central District seat told a crowd of about 40 at the Willie Morris Library in Jackson that they believe judges should be elected.

The 22-county district includes Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties.

Chief Justice Jim Smith, who has said he favors appointment of judges, told the crowd there should be no change in the way judges are selected until a better system is in place.