Worse, their money to run the campaigns often comes from the very lawyers who some day may be trying cases before them. No wonder a Tampa lawyer, who was barely five years out of law school, was once able to land a circuit judge seat after flying a banner over Tampa Stadium. Opponents of merit selection attack the way judges are retained, and they have a point. But voters seldom have enough information about whether the judges have performed well, and, in 22 years, not a single judge has been removed through retention. In this regard, though, elections are no better.
Lawyers are so afraid to challenge sitting judges that few are ever challenged.
Of 160 circuit judgeships up for election this year, only 17 were contested. We make the case for judicial appointment not on lofty theory but on real world pragmatism. A judge needs to know the law and court procedures, and a screening committee of experts is in a better position to make that call. We recommend that voters approve both local option referendum questions, for appointed circuit judges and county judges. St. Petersburg Times.