IT IS THAT IMPORTANT
I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of Judge of the District Court, Fourth Judicial District, to the best of my ability, so help me God.
-Judicial Oath
This very important oath is taken by every District Court judge in Minnesota. Judges at other levels of the state judiciary take a similar oath. But not everybody knows how a judge becomes a judge.
A 2007 US Chamber of Commerce Survey of Corporate Counsel ranks Minnesota's courts:
- No. 2 nationally for fairness of litigation environment.
- No. 3 nationally for impartiality, competence and fairness.
A 2006 survey of Minnesota residents found that 80-94% of respondents consider Minnesota judges to be qualified, honest, trustworthy and impartial.
Some judges are first elected. Most are appointed following a non-partisan merit selection process in which the Commission on Judicial Selection (comprised of lawyers and non-lawyers, appointed by both the Governor and the Minnesota Supreme Court) interviews candidates and recommends finalists for further review by the Governor. The Governor and his legal advisors then interview the finalists. The Governor may appoint one of the finalists to an open seat, or can appoint someone else of his own choosing. This process was codified by the Minnesota Legislature in 1990. And Governor Pawlenty, like other Governors before him, has used this process for his trial court appointments. It was through this non-partisan, merit-based system, that Judge Koch was appointed to the bench in May 2007.
A person can also run for election to the position of judge, without going through the non-partisan, merit-selection process. The hopeful-judge-to-be pays the $300 filing fee and is then a candidate.
Regardless of how a person becomes a judge, anyone wishing to remain a judge must stand for election. The first election is generally the first general election after the first anniversary of a judge's service. After that, a judge stands for election every six years.
But there may be changes in the future. Based upon concerns about eroding judicial independence and increasing partisanship, many leaders and lay people are calling for a change in how Minnesota selects its judges. Although this will not affect this year's election - it's business as usual - you may want to know more about this. You can play an informed, active role in the discussion. Here are some helpful links to help you do just that: