These methods of selection are: At the founding of the United States, all states selected judges through either gubernatorial or legislative appointments. Political rights are least threatened by the judicial branch. These include the federal trial courts, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court. [xxiii] In another, legislators focused intently on a judges gun rights decision even though it had been upheld by a higher court. [xi], And favoritism in legislative appointments has extended beyond family members. Elections give the people a direct voice in selecting judges and holding them accountable. In 1976, the General Assembly appointed former House Speaker Joseph Bevilacqua to be Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court at the same time questions arose about his connections to organized crime. The chart below details selection methods in state supreme courts across the country. Below we outline several common problems that have arisen in legislative appointment systems, based primarily on news accounts and some scholarly research. Legislative elections: Judges are selected by the state legislature. Rethinking Judicial Selection - American Bar Association Baker argued that residents of his district were not receiving equal protection of the laws. They handle civil and criminal cases. For example, one political science study found that judges facing legislative reappointment were more likely to rule in favor of the legislature in legal challenges, indicating that judges facing reappointment may alter their decisions to fit legislative preferences. Heres how you can help. judicial activism results from a narrow interpretation of the constitution, Both the federal and state courts have the power of judicial review, ___ questions are those questions the constitution makes the executive or legislative branches responsible for resolving, Select THREE facts about the Baker v. Carr Supreme Court case, The case changed reapportionment of how people are represented throughout America