03/30/2016
From our Bar Association here in Tulsa:
As lawyers we each have a great responsibility in ensuring equal justice for all and remaining current on the law. If you are not already aware, HB3162 pending before the Senate Rules Committee significantly changes by constitutional amendment how judges and justices will be picked. Some major features of the bill are listed below:
• Every application goes to the Governor. The JNC will no longer select the three (3) most qualified candidates. Every name will be sent to the Governor.
• A secret, nonbinding rating system is to be developed.
• The bill creates a “select committee” made up of five members of the House of Representative and five members of the Senate that have the power to reject the Governor’s appointment.
• The bill amends the Constitution and will require that every candidate, regardless of judicial qualifications, will have a financial and criminal background check run. The JNC currently only performs this costly process on those selected for interviews.
This legislation will cause a major change in judicial selection. We all know as a result of the judicial scandal in the 1960’s that proper judicial selection is fundamental in ensuring justice for all. This issue is too important for us to leave it to someone else to worry about. I urge you to read the bill and let members of the Senate Rules Committee know you thoughts on this very important issue. The names and phone numbers of the Committee members are listed below. Time is of the essence and I am told that a phone call would have more impact than an email.
Bass, Randy (405)521-5567 Comanche
Dahm, Nathan (405)521-5551 Tulsa
David, Kimberly (405)521-5590 Cherokee*, Muskogee*, Tulsa, Wagoner
Fields, Eddie (405)521-5581 Kay*, Osage*
Floyd, Kay (405)521-5610 Oklahoma*
Garrison, Earl (405)521-5533 Cherokee, Muskogee
Griffin, A J (405)521-5628 Kingfisher*, Logan*, Noble*, Pawnee*
Jolley, Clark (405)521-5622 Oklahoma*
Justice, Ron (405)521-5537 Canadian*, Grady*, Kingfisher
Marlatt, Bryce (405)521-5626 Beaver, Cimarron*, Dewey*, Ellis*, Harper*, Major*, Texas*, Woods*, Woodward
Thank you,
E. Zach Smith, TCBA President