Governor's Column - August 3, 2007
by Governor Matt Blunt
Selecting Missouri's Next Supreme Court Judge
The Supreme Court of Missouri is our state's highest court. Supreme Court justices exercise the judicial power to determine the constitutionality of statutes and validity of criminal convictions. On issues of state law, these justices have the last word. And they have the last word for a long time. In Missouri, judges serve for a lifetime and are only subject to retention votes every 12 years.
Because the Supreme Court holds such an important place in our constitutional system, I take the responsibility of appointing a Supreme Court Judge very seriously. In Missouri, the governors do not nominate judges of their own choosing. Instead, the Appellate Judicial Commission (a body made up of the presiding chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court, three lawyers chosen by the Missouri Bar and three Missourians appointed by governors) selects a panel of three candidates for the governor. I have appointed only one person to the commission. The others were appointed by Gov. Bob Holden.
Once the governor is given the panel, they then have 60 days to appoint one of the three nominated candidates to the Supreme Court. If the governor does not act in 60 days, the Appellate Judicial Commission selects the judge for the vacant seat.
With a current vacancy on our Supreme Court, I want Missourians to know that I will thoughtfully consider all relevant information regarding each of the three candidates submitted by the Appellate Judicial Commission for my consideration. Over the next few weeks, I will be carefully reviewing all available information on each candidate. Then, I will meet with each of them to discuss their experience and qualifications. I will keep an open mind throughout the process to ensure a fair selection of the best candidate among the three submitted.
I remain committed to protecting our constitution by selecting judges who understand that their role is to say what the law is, not what it should be. I agree with the sentiments that United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts expressed in his confirmation hearing before the United States Senate. "Judges," Roberts said, "are like umpires. (They) don't make the rules; they apply them." The umpire's job is to "call balls and strikes...not to pitch or bat."
Throughout this process, I will thoughtfully consider the candidates as I carefully review and research the credentials that each could bring to the Missouri Supreme Court.