In light of Justice Gerry Alexander's mandatory retirement, Jessica Bowman of the Freedom Foundation has an opinion piece in The Olympian arguing that we should reconsider booting judges off the bench when they turn 75.
Prompted by the news that Chief Justice Gerry Alexander is positioning himself for mandatory retirement in 2011, the Spokesman-Review has an editorial today that says we should re-think the judicial retirement issue.
The state constitution was amended in 1951 to require judges to step down when they turn 75. The Spokesman-Review points out that life expectancy has gone from 66 years to 78 since the 1950s. Another problem with the mandatory retirement is that the governor appoints a replacement rather than allowing voters to select a judge.
The piece pays a backhanded compliment: “Alexander shows no signs of cognitive failings” – picture the Chief in his office – “Gee, thanks!” At the very least, says the editorial, judges who turn 75 should be permitted to serve out the remainder of their term.
The Supreme Court is in recess in will not hear oral arguments this week. The court may issue opinions on July 23.
In other judicial news, the Vancouver Columbian has an editorial that says the state's mandatory retirement rule for judges (at age 75) should be lifted. For example, Chief Justice Gerry Alexander faces mandatory retirement in 2011.
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