01 October 2010

Electing judges is "nuts"! Amirite?

Honestly, do we need a better argument against electing judges at all three levels here in Pennsylvania, and for some system of merit selection in the judiciary instead?
[Judge Isaac Stoltzfus] is facing a disorderly conduct charge for allegedly approaching women near the state Capitol and handing them acorns he had hollowed out and stuffed with condoms[.]
Via the smoking gun. Judge Stoltzfus is a Magisterial District Judge, like a Philadelphia Municipal Court judge, only for counties with smaller populations. With a name like "Stoltzfus," you know it's Lancaster County; with conduct like what he's accused of, you know he's a Republican.

Seriously, the joke here isn't that he's the Magisterial District Judge for Intercourse, Penna. (though Intercourse, Penna., is always funny). The joke here is that we live in a state where this guy was elected and has been re-elected so many times that he's been on the bench for 19 years.

Apropos of nothing, I followed some bouncing links off the county court's website and found Lancaster County's government FAQ page. The first FAQ: "How can you obtain a concealed weapon permit?" Maybe Judge Stoltzfus is lucky that he's only getting slapped with a maximum fine of $300.

1 comment:

Frank said...

Judges in Virginia, where I was born and lived the first half of my life, are appointed.

I have always felt that that was a superior system. Not infallible, but less fallible.