State Supreme Court Nominees and Judicial Process Discussed on Radio

Dean Rex Perschbacher was interviewed on KPCC radio's Talk of the City for his expertise on the California judiciary. This month, the California State Supreme Court began their session one seat short with Justice Janice Rogers Brown's relocation to the D.C. District Court of Appeals. Governor Schwarzenegger has submitted two names, Justice Vance Raye of the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento and Justice Carol Corrigan of the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco, to a committee for review. Dean Perschbacher explained the next steps for the state's highest court and the differences between the state system and the federal process.

Dean Perschbacher explained that in California the governor submits names to the Commission on Judicial Nominee Evaluation (JNE) of the State Bar of California, whose mission is to provide independent, comprehensive, accurate, and fair evaluations of candidates for judicial appointment and nomination. After 90 days, the committee makes a recommendation on the qualifications of the nominees, but this information is not made public nor is the Governor bound by the commission's recommendations to make an appointment.

The interview is available online under the September 15, 2005 heading.  KPCC is the NPR affiliate station in the Los Angeles area and Talk of the City is a public affairs program. http://www.scpr.org/programs/talkcity/listings/2005/09/totc_20050912.shtm