Bill looks to balance power in Alaska’s judge selection process
A bill introduced by Senator Mike Shower (R-Wasilla) would significantly change the process by which district and appellate judges and magistrates are appointed to their positions. Currently, the Alaska Judicial Council, made up primarily of attorneys, gets
Alaska’s chief justice derides those who suggest judges may be ‘activists’
In his final State of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature, a visibly annoyed Chief Justice Daniel Winfree lashed out against anyone who dares to criticize the courts, or suggest that judges might be politically motivated in some
Alaska Judicial Council’s rejection of Kenai judge applicant, fuels growing frustration
In an unusual show of public participation at Alaska Judicial Council hearings, roughly 30 Kenai Peninsula area residents turned out for a Jan. 23 public testimony on the nine applicants who applied to serve on the Kenai Superior Court. Many of the testifiers
OPINION: Lawsuit against Rep. Eastman is judicial lawlessness
It is the height of hypocrisy to believe that Alaska’s judiciary is “above the fray” of politics as a sort of wise and unbiased referee – a protector of the rule of law – to assist us citizen-peons in understanding the state and federal
OPINION: Is Alaska’s method of selecting judges unconstitutional?
By MICHAEL CHAMBERS – Alaska Freedom Alliance “All political power is inherent in the people. All government originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the people as a whole.” –
Judicial Council to hear complaints on judges up for election
The Alaska Judicial Council, a small but extremely powerful group that controls placement of all judges in Alaska – says it wants to hear from rank-and-file Alaskans regarding the suitability of 30 judges up for retention elections this year. After hearing
Alaska’s chief justice denies only rural applicant and person of color from spot on Supreme Court
Chief Justice Joel Bolger, like many lawyers, is good with words, but the words have no real meaning. This is the lesson I learned during my first official session on the Alaska Judicial Council. I read the Chief Justice’s June 8, 2020 letter. Justice
Public testimony unanimously favors changing how Alaska chooses judges
Public testimony in a recent Senate Judiciary hearing was unanimously favored altering how Alaska selects appellate and district court judges. The Feb. 15 hearing dealt with Senate Bill 14, introduced by Sen. Mike Shower (R-Wasilla). The measure looks to curb
Dunleavy’s has a golden opportunity to finally put the court in its place
It’s time for Gov. Mike Dunleavy to take a decisive stand against the growing tyranny of Alaska’s court system. This third branch of government has gone unchecked and unchallenged by the other two branches for decades. It now sees no limit to its powers.
With Alaska’s chief justice to retire in 2021, judge selection process must be fixed
Chief Justice Joel Bolger will retire from Alaska’s Supreme Court on June 30 next year, creating yet another vacancy on Alaska’s highest court, which only has five members. On Nov. 30 Bolger announced his plan to step down five years before reaching the
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