How Will The Election Results Affect Judicial Appointments?
Today's Maryland Daily Record reports on the possible effects the recent Presidential election may have on appointments to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Apparently there is one seat that has been open for over eight years. I won't pretend to understand all of the political aspects of the federal judicial selection process. But the lawyer in me can't believe that in eight years nobody could find a lawyer in Maryland who was experienced enough and acceptable enough to both ends of the political system to make it through the appointment process. I mean, at some point, this has to affect the quality of justice in the court system.
Today's article mentions that the Hon. Andre Davis, who currently sits on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, may be considered for one of the several open seats. Judge Davis was formerly a judge on the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. He is known for being an excellent judge, and was previously nominated for a seat on the Fourth Circuit by President Clinton.
I think it will be interesting in the coming months to see how President-elect Obama addresses the issue of judicial appointments, particularly since I expect the Democratic majority in the Senate will speed the selection process.
