Law Matters: Reflections of Chief Justice Michael A. Wolff

How We Choose Missouri Judges

Discussion Questions

1. How would you answer Judge Wolff’s question—“If you were to write a constitution to set up a system of courts, how you would select the judges?”

2. What are the dangers with special interest groups contributing large sums of money to elect a particular judge? Is a retention election inherently less dangerous than an election where two candidates are vying for a judgeship?

3. How are both the federal and Missouri plans for selection of judges consistent with the concept of representative democracy?

4. What are the similarities and differences between federal and state selection of judges? What do you view as the strengths and possible weaknesses of both?