Judicial Elections Vital, Deukmejian Says : Called ‘Best Insurance’ That Courts Will Be Held Accountable

Gov. George Deukmejian, answering Democrats who want appellate justices to receive lifetime appointments, said Saturday that judicial elections are “California’s best insurance” that the courts will be held accountable.

“People must have the right to decide whether or not their paramount concern for public safety is being met by all public officials who are responsible for enforcing our laws and punishing criminals,” Deukmejian said during his weekly statewide radio broadcast.

The 5-minute address by the Republican governor was in response to the state Democratic Party platform adopted last weekend, which cited the need for an independent judiciary and endorsed lifetime appointments for appellate justices.

Political Fights

Such a change in the state Constitution would avoid political fights like the current battle over the confirmation of California Chief Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird, who faces a public vote this fall.

A recent Los Angeles Times Poll showed that Bird is so unpopular with the public because of controversial rulings limiting the death penalty that Democrats who are also running in the November election could be hurt if they support her.

Deukmejian, a strong critic of Bird and Supreme Court rulings on the death penalty, said the current system provided needed “checks and balances” and declared that any effort to change the Constitution should be “forcefully rejected.”

Elections ‘Essential’

The Republican chief executive said that the public’s concern about crime makes judicial elections “more essential than ever.”

“If (citizens) expect anything from their government, it is better protection from the criminals, hoodlums and drug-pushers who terrorize our families and neighborhoods,” Deukmejian said.

The governor said independence of the judiciary was ensured by constitutional provisions stretching out the length of time between judicial elections. Municipal and Superior judges are elected once every six years, and appellate and Supreme Court justices run every 12 years.