Opinion ID: 1222621
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: legislature

Text: The Legislature's position is that the process of selecting judges, including the selection of members of judicial nominating commissions, is not a power which should be properly characterized as executive, judicial or legislative, and therefore, separation of powers considerations should not be involved. However, if separation of powers principles are involved, the contention is that the process of selecting judges, including the appointment of judicial nominating commissions, is not a power or function appertaining exclusively to the executive department of government, and therefore, the Legislature may participate therein without violating Article V, § 1. With respect to legislative power to confirm the Governor's judicial appointees, the contention is that it is a shared power, a fundamental part of our American system of checks and balances, and may be exercised within reason by the Legislature pursuant to either express or implied provisions in the State Constitution.