Thursday, July 26, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Receives Supreme Court Panel, Plans Exhaustive Interview Process
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today received a panel of three candidates as presented by the Appellate Judicial Commission and set in motion the beginning of an exhaustive interview process that will help him determine who will serve as Missouri's next Supreme Court judge.
"Nominating candidates to be appointed to our state's Supreme Court is a significant responsibility," said Gov. Blunt. "I will thoughtfully consider the candidates as I carefully review and research the qualifications and experience that each could bring to the Missouri Supreme Court."
In Missouri, the governor does not appoint a judge to the Supreme Court from citizens at large. Instead an Appellate Judicial Commission, made up of the presiding chief justice, three lawyers chosen by the Missouri Bar and three people appointed by governors, selects a panel of three candidates. Gov. Blunt has appointed only one of the three commissioners, and the others were appointed by former Gov. Bob Holden. The governor has 60 days to appoint one of the three nominated candidates to the Supreme Court.
The governor and his top staff will thoroughly review each candidate and their qualifications as part of an exhaustive interview process. As all appointments the governor makes, candidates will first work with the Office of Boards and Commissions to complete an initial interview and facilitate official background checks. A historic review of public documents and available information related to each candidate will also be collected and thoroughly reviewed. References, judges, local and state bar association members, community leaders and citizens will be consulted as a part of the information gathering process. In addition, letters of reference and recommendations are collected, confirmed and assembled.
Candidates will then meet with the governor's General Counsel and members of his senior staff for an interview and discussion of the judicial branch and Supreme Court. Gov. Blunt will then carefully review all available information and resources regarding each candidate and plans to meet with each candidate before making his final decision.
"Selecting a Supreme Court Judge is not something to be done in haste," said Gov. Blunt. "I will carefully and thoroughly consider all relevant information regarding each of the three candidates submitted to me for consideration."