Comments on: Giuliani on judges: Not encouraging

By: Leslie

Leslie — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 14:56:49 +0000

As a native of New York City, and longtime observer of its political scene, I’m puzzled by this whole thing. I confess that until just now, I had been unaware that the mayor had any say in judicial appointments to state courts.

But you all may be quite sure that nine out of 10 judges appointed from New York City would be Democrats. That is just how it is. The GOP usually goes along in return for favors. Although considering the dwindling population of New York City Republicans (for all I know there are more Libertarians now), I am not entirely sure what favors are supplied them.

READ ON TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NEW YORK STATE COURTS (or not)

Terminology in New York State courts is confusing. The trial courts are divided into “Criminal” court, which tries misdemeanors, and “Supreme” court, which tries felonies. Among the latter are civil- and criminal-division judges. These are called “justices.” They are appointed by the political party bosses. Well, actually, they are “elected,” except when voters go to the polls they will find that the list under the Democratic and Republican columns are most often identical.

Above that there is the Appellate division, which, as you would suppose, handles the appeals. And above that is the Court of Appeals, a seven-member body that acts as the Supreme Court of New York State. (Curiously, while the trial judges in Supreme Court, are called Justices, the judges on the Court of Appeals are called, well, Judges. The Chief Judge is Judith Kaye.)

They are appointed by the Governor for 10-year terms, and their appointments can be renewed, although there is mandatory retirement at age 70. The Governor must choose from among a list provided him by a screening committee.

But again, precisely which judicial appointments Rudy could have been involved in, I cannot say.

By: TedintheShed

TedintheShed — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 12:15:38 +0000

Guiliani is about the only person out there I would vote for. McCain was supported by Soros in the 2000 primaries, so he is forever tainted in my mind.

Those judges he appointed were indeed for New York lower courts- is there such thing as a conservative judge in New York City?

All that aside, what we need now is a Reagan-esque leader as President. I think Guiliani has that quality far and above any other candidate out there.

Remeber, Reagan was considered “liberal” by his party too.

By: Bachbone

Bachbone — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 02:23:21 +0000

Guiliani is even less conservative than Pres. Bush. I hope he doesn’t get the GOP nomination. I’m sick and tired of voting for the lesser of evils.

By: stoo

stoo — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 01:16:11 +0000

I’m not a particular supporter of Mr. Giuliani, but I wonder at the pool of possible judges he had to work with, as a mayor of one of the leftest cities on this continent.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 23:38:57 +0000

Hmm. Ok, maybe I’ll reconsider. Don’t much care on the social issues, but if the judges aren’t of the Scalia/Thomas mold, then we have a problem. Can’t win too many wars with lib activist judges countering every common sense move you make. I’ll watch and see if someone confronts on that and see his response. I can almost gaurantee that McCain will bring it up.

The draft thing will not resonate. Didn’t with Clinton. Try as they did, it didn’t with Bush. ‘Nam is not going to be an issue ever again. Ditto “youthful” drug use. Don’t know if that’s bad or good or indifferent, but that seems to be the trend to me.