tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098620.post109996146149947613..comments2024-03-15T04:02:42.341-04:00Comments on CrimLaw: Qualities of a Supreme Court JusticeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098620.post-1121898279195314002005-07-20T18:24:00.000-04:002005-07-20T18:24:00.000-04:00On the current Court the only two justices with tr...On the current Court the only two justices with trial court level experience are O'Connor (as noted) and Souter who was a no-nonsense prosecutor and trial judge before moving up the feeding chain.<BR/><BR/>So-to be Justice Roberts has handled part of a death case pro bono, has handled several criminal appeals (including wins as counsel for the accused in the SCOTUS), however, his trial court level experience is limited to one trial as an assistant to trial counsel with his even being in the courtroom (and of course not present for that gut wrenching period between the jury knock and verdict).<BR/><BR/>- karlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098620.post-1100118855194697112004-11-10T15:34:00.000-05:002004-11-10T15:34:00.000-05:00Off the top of my head, Chief Justice Vinson was a...Off the top of my head, Chief Justice Vinson was a Commonwealth Attorney in Kentucky.<br /><br />On the current court Justice O'Connor served as a county attorney but I'm not sure what that entailed.Ken Lammershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15646250142814585354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098620.post-1100096560454558292004-11-10T09:22:00.000-05:002004-11-10T09:22:00.000-05:00Yes, I know that some few are out there (although ...Yes, I know that some few are out there (although I've never appeared in front of one). Do I think they can get elevated to the federal supreme court? No.Ken Lammershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15646250142814585354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098620.post-1100090313595730212004-11-10T07:38:00.000-05:002004-11-10T07:38:00.000-05:00Jesus christ folks, I gave you the name of one DCT...Jesus christ folks, I gave you the name of one DCT judge who was elevated to a CTA who was a former PD.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098620.post-1100032226811017602004-11-09T15:30:00.000-05:002004-11-09T15:30:00.000-05:00Methinks I am the victim of my spell checker. I s...Methinks I am the victim of my spell checker. I swear the post said "Rule of Lenity" when I first wrote it.Ken Lammershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15646250142814585354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098620.post-1100022341237812472004-11-09T12:45:00.000-05:002004-11-09T12:45:00.000-05:00I don't expect someone who has been a defense atto...I don't expect someone who has been a defense attorney to get elevated. That part is pretty much a pipe dream (although, if called upon I will serve). It's just a reality that most who do this kind of work just are not sufficiently politically connected.<br /><br />The section above (1-5) is what I would really hope for. I get so tired of reading a statute, thinking it has a clear meaning (firearm must be present) and then reading the appeallate court decisions which hold that all that is needed for a conviction is a threatened presence (hand in pocket) or subjective belief by the complaining witness that a firearm is present. I want judges who stick to the meaning.Ken Lammershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15646250142814585354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098620.post-1100018845026290552004-11-09T11:47:00.000-05:002004-11-09T11:47:00.000-05:00There are a number of former public defenders on v...There are a number of former public defenders on various federal courts of appeal. They have been nominated and elevated by presidents of either both parties. <br /><br />There are a few CTA judges with Public Defender Experience:<br />Ed Prado (5th) (hey.. he is Hispanic, and he even ran for a state judgship as a Republican, and has experience as a prosecutor -- yet somehow he is overlooked for the Supremes)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com