(A) Communications with applicants or judges. Council members shall display courtesy and respect to all applicants and those commenting on applicants, as well as to other Council members. Those types are: Twenty-two courts in 22 states used assisted appointment to select state supreme court justices as of June 2021. Distribution of materials - AJC members receive packets of information on each applicant (including survey results and public comments) to review prior to the ACJ meeting. The public shall have access to all public records in accordance with AS 40.25.120. The governor appoints the public members, and the legislature confirms them. (April, 1975). (A) Officers. (907) 276-5046 | Phone (907) 279-2526, Current Applicant Biographical Statements, Press Release Announcing Applicants for Anchorage, Juneau, and Sitka Superior Courts; 5/5/23, Press Release Announcing Applicants for Alaska Public Defender; 5/8/23, Press Release Announcing Alaska Public Defender Vacancy 3/30/23, Press Release Announcing Judicial Vacancies 3/30/23, Public Defender Announcement Letter and Position Description, Judicial Announcement Letter and Position Description, Press Release Announcing Nominees for Fairbanks Superior Court 5/22/23, Press Release Announcing Public Hearing and Meeting for 5/18/23, Press Release Announcing Applicants for Fairbanks Superior Court 2/3/23, Press Release Announcing Vacancy for Fairbanks Superior Court 12/30/22, Press Release Announcing Nominees for Kenai Superior Court 1/25/23, Press Release Announcing Public Hearing and Meeting for January 1/18/23, Press Release Announcing Applicants for Kenai Superior Court 10/17/22, Press Release Announcing Vacancy for Kenai Superior Court 9/6/22. Poor. Judicial Selection Members review applications, surveys, references and investigatory materials for judicial vacancies on the supreme court, the court of appeals, the superior and district courts of Alaska. . Interim Status Report of the Alaska Criminal Justice Council (January 2002), Alaska Civil Cases June 1999 - December 2000 (May 2001), Alaska Judicial Applicant Guidelines (October 2000), Final Report of the Alaska Criminal Justice Assessment Commission (May 2000), An Analysis of Civil Case Data Collected from September 1997 - May 1999, A Guide to Alaska Child in Need of Aid Cases (November 1999), Mediation, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and the Alaska Court System (December 1999), Evaluation of Pilot Probation Program for Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Offenders (July 1999). These appointments are for staggered six year terms, must be spread over different areas of the state, and must be made without regard to political affiliation. North Dakota uses this method only for vacancies. Pursuant to the provisions of the Alaska Constitution and Alaska Statutes Titles 15 and 22, each judge is subject to approval or rejection by the voters.1 The Legislature has provided by statute that the Council shall conduct an evaluation of each judge eligible for retention before the retention election, shall provide to the public information about the judge, and may provide a recommendation regarding retention or rejection. In an April 28 letter to the Legislature, Babcock asked lawmakers to judge her qualifications on their own merits. In fact, the. If the Council does not submit names for a vacancy or vacancies due its inability to nominate sufficient applicants, it shall re-advertise the position(s). After the list of nominees has been submitted to the governor, no Council member, either directly or indirectly, shall initiate contact with the governor or any member of the governors office or staff for the purpose of influencing the governors decision. When a vacancy in the office of justice, judge, or public defender actually occurs or is otherwise determined to be impending, the chair shall call a special meeting of the Judicial Council within the time-frame required by law. Each state has a unique set of guidelines governing how they select judges at the state and local level. The poll should be relevant to criteria listed in Article I, Section 2 of these bylaws. The chair shall fix the time and place of such meeting not more than thirty days from the date of receipt of such request. (B) Investigation. Follow us on: Sometimes lacks compassion, humility, or courtesy, Acceptable. Often lacks compassion, humility, or courtesy, Deficient. The Alaska Criminal Justice Commission was formed in 2014, in legislation signed by Governor Parnell in July 2014. Section 7. Concerning Selection of Justices, Judges, and Public Defender. Frequently Asked Questions - Selection (February, 1987), Fairbanks Televised Arraignments Final Report. Solicited communications relating to the qualifications of judicial or public defender vacancy applicants, or judicial officers, including confidential comments received by the Council in response to its surveys, responses to counsel questionnaires, responses to solicited reference letters, and other investigative materials; Unsolicited communications relating to the qualifications of a judicial or public defender applicant or judicial officer, where the source requests confidentiality; Those portions of the "application for judicial appointment" and "judge questionnaire" that reveal sensitive personal information entitled to protection under law. Disqualification of Member from Application. Constitutional convention supporters target Alaska's judicial selection Above-average awareness of ethics, holds self to higher standard than most, Excellent. The final member is the chief justice of the Alaska Supreme Court, who serves as the ex officio chair of the council. "For the two positions on the court, the Council received 11 applications. (1981), Recommendations of the Alaska Judicial Council to the Supreme Court Proposing Changes to the Civil Rules to Reduce Excessive Costs and Delays of Civil Litigation. Members of the Alaska Judicial Council Judicial Council attorney and public members serve terms of six years. Public Records include: Materials that, if made public, would violate an individual's right to privacy under Art. To learn more about controlling majorities in judicial selection commissions, click here. Members represented all of the major criminal justice agencies, the A laska Native community, victims' At any Council meeting where the qualifications of applicants, or the performance of judges or justices will be considered, Council members shall disclose to the Council any current or former relationship with an applicant or judge or justice (business, personal, and/or attorney-client). The names of the selected candidates shall be submitted to the governor in alphabetical order; but if the Councils vote does not result in selecting at least two applicants who are sufficiently qualified, the Council shall decline to submit any names and will re-advertise the position. To the extent practicable, meetings should be held in the area of the state most directly affected by the subject matter under consideration. If a record contains both disclosable and nondisclosable information, the nondisclosable information will be deleted and the disclosable information will be disclosed. At the state supreme court level, this method is further divided into the following three types, based on the makeup of the judicial nominating commissions. In 1976, the Legislature directed the council to evaluate the performance of judges who are standing for retention. Outstanding integrity and highest standards of conduct, Poor. Responsible to plan, direct and coordinate the full range of duties associated with the Police . The Alaska Judicial Council is a seven-member citizens' board created by the Alaska Constitution. (Nov., 1979), "Northrim Survey": An Analysis of the Results of a Survey for the Alaska Judicial Council. The judicial council shall perform other duties assigned by law.), 3Alaska Const. Application Deadline - May 5, 2023 @ 3 p.m. Fairbanks Superior Court Meeting Date - May 18, 2023. Conflict of Interest: Disclosure and Disqualification. Alaska Judges - Alaska Court System The choice to interview publicly or in executive session will have no bearing on the Councils evaluation of the candidates qualifications. Mr. Parker was appointed to the Council in 2013 by Governor Sean Parnell and was reappointed in 2019 by Governor Mike Dunleavy. (A) Same position. The Council shall establish and follow written forms and procedures for the evaluation of justices and judges. The Alaska Judicial Council's vote on nominees to fill a seat on the Alaska Supreme Court was closer and more contentious than usual. Three cannot be attorneys and are appointed by the governor subject to confirmation by the legislature. . Has less than suitable experience, Excellent. [4] The association members rate applicants on a numerical scale across six categories and may also leave written comments about the applicant. Wasilla Republican Sen. David Wilson said its hard to get full representation with so few seats on the council. The Council may decide as permitted by law whether its proceedings will be conducted in executive session. Section 3. Alaska Judicial Council | Anchorage AK - Facebook Vice-Chair Hamon called the 143rd Regular Meeting of the Alaska Police Standards Council to order on May 5, 2022, at 8:05 a.m. A roll call was conducted as follows: APSC Members Present All votes shall be taken in public session. The Commission consisted of thirteen members, with staffing by the Alaska Judicial Council. Alaska Judicial Council holds public hearing on Supreme Court vacancy The table below shows the number of courts using each variation of assisted appointment at the state supreme court level. He was appointed to the Alaska Supreme Court in 2012 by Governor Sean Parnell. Four members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting. Follow us on: Council Biennial Reports from 1960 - 2002 are not available online. The survey also collects demographic data about the respondents, such as type of practice, years in practice, and gender. Christian, conservative groups organize to oust Supreme Court justice Non-attorney members shall have full voting rights effective upon the appointment date, unless and until denied confirmation by the Legislature. Council members may encourage people to communicate with the Council in writing or at a public hearing. The Alaska Judicial Council unanimously endorsed all 29 state judges up for retention this year. Babcocks supporters said the Kenai Peninsula is regionally distinct from its Southcentral neighbors, even though theyre all in the same judicial district. Kristie Babcock appointed to Alaska Judicial Council Minutes of the 143rd Regular Meeting . The AJC is a hybrid commission, which means that there is no majority of members chosen by either the governor or the state Bar association. The chair shall preside at all meetings of the Council and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Council. Carpeneti. Judicial Council alaska judicial council FAX (907) 276-5046 (907) 279-2526 E-mail: postmaster@ajc.state.ak.us 510 L Street, Suite 450, Anchorage, Alaska 99501 . Shes married to Tuckerman Babcock, former chair of the Alaska Republican Party and Dunleavys former chief of staff. Public Sessions; Public Notice. A member has the following duties and obligations: (A) Attendance. The Council will seek such appropriations of funds by the Alaska Legislature and other funding sources as it deems appropriate to carry out its constitutional and statutory functions. Ms. Babcock criticized retired judges who exercising their free speech rights oppose her confirmation, and she even argued that they are trying to choose the public member. Council members shall complete all necessary preparation for each meeting. The map below highlights the states that use each of the three types of assisted appointment. Council members shall attend all meetings of the Council unless excused by the chair for good cause. The Judicial Council may conduct such other surveys and evaluations of candidates' qualifications as may be deemed appropriate. (B) Communications with the public. The Council shall hold two or more meetings per year, at times designated by the Council, to consider problems that may affect the Council and concern the administration of justice in the State of Alaska. Section 4. At least 90 days prior to the expiration of the term of any Council member, or as soon as practicable following the death, resignation, or announced intent to resign of any Council member, the executive director shall notify the appropriate appointing authority and request that the appointment process be initiated immediately to fill the vacancy. Alaska's Premier Attorneys Live Here. Service in the armed forces of the United States or of the State is not an office or position of profit.3, Section 7. While many other appointees sailed through, Babcock was nearly rejected. He is a former teacher and pastor. He was appointed to the Council in 2023 by Governor Mike Dunleavy. Council members may discuss their individual views about the qualifications of applicants and the performance of judicial officers with members of the public, including the applicants and judicial officers. The mission of the Alaska Court System is to provide an accessible and impartial forum for the just resolution of all cases that come before it, and to decide such cases in accordance with the law, expeditiously and with integrity. (B) Disqualification. .?). Art IV, 9. Representatives from the Alaska Federation of Natives opposed Babcocks nomination, saying they were concerned about the lack of representation on the council from rural Alaska if Babcock took the third seat. If the Council has reason to believe that a judge suffers or may be suffering from a disability that is or may become permanent, or has violated the Judicial Code of Conduct, the Council shall notify the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct. Members interview applicants and vote to nominate two or more candidates to the governor to fill judicial vacancies. Section 5. Above-average ability to treat all persons and groups impartially, Excellent. Actions may include, but are not limited to, the following: restricting the member from receiving confidential materials; limiting or restricting the member from participating in meetings; reprimanding the member; contacting the appropriate appointing authority; and requesting the members resignation. If a member is absent without good cause for two consecutive meetings, the chair shall formally request the resignation of that member. She serves as a Corporate Compliance & Risk Officer at Tanana Chiefs Conference. Possesses sufficient knowledge and required skills, Good. Tuckerman Babcock's wife doesn't belong on Alaska Judicial Council These communications include but are not limited to communications between the Council and its attorney made for the purpose of facilitating the rendition of professional legal services to the Council. Information that otherwise would not be disclosable may be released to the subject of that information or to the public if it is in a form that protects the privacy rights of individuals and does not inhibit candid debate during the decision-making process. The officers of the Council shall be the chair, vice-chair and executive director. (Bill Roth / ADN archive) With 10 days to pick Alaska's next Supreme Court justice, Gov. This group of nine individuals from differing backgrounds and geographical areas . Appellate: First general election held more than three years after appointment; every eight thereafter. A topic for any study or investigation may be proposed at any meeting of the Council by any member without prior notice. The chair shall also call a special meeting of the Council upon the request of four or more members to consider business specified in the request; at that meeting, the Council may also consider other business that may come before the Council with the consent of four or more of the members present. Alaska Judicial Council, 510 L Street, Suite 450, Anchorage, AK Members of the Alaska Judicial Council serve staggered six-year terms, except for the chief justice who serves for three years. The Alaska Judicial Council has three public (non-lawyer) members and three lawyer members. Alaska Police Standards Council . 2Alaska Const. Council staff shall conduct all pre-application communications with an applicant about the application or the process. The Council and its staff shall investigate the background, experience, and other qualifications of an applicant under consideration for a judicial or a public defender vacancy, and may call witnesses before it for such purposes. Soldotnas Kristie Babcock was confirmed to the Alaska Judicial Council Tuesday in a tight vote by the Alaska Legislature. All members of the Council present shall be entitled to vote on all matters coming before the Council, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article and except that the chair shall only vote when to do so would change the result. [9][10] Alaska used a hybrid commission. Anchorage Republican Rep. Sara Rasmussen said shes excited to see a female appointee. The Council may meet remotely between regularly scheduled meetings with the consent of the chair. Chief Of Police. Notice of each meeting and teleconference shall be sent to all members of the Council as far in advance as practicable but in any event not less than five days before the date of the meeting or teleconference. and the Alaska Judicial Council, members participate in the presentation of events that promote awareness of issues . The Council may designate a Council member or staff person to convey recommendations to applicants regarding steps they could take to improve their qualifications and to judges to convey recommendations regarding steps they could take to improve their judicial performance. November 2011. This group of nine individuals from differing backgrounds and geographical areas . AK Association for Justice is a networking organization with members from all over the State of Alaska including some in the Lower 48 who continue to practice in this great state. Alaska Court of Appeals The Council will not reconsider the names submitted to the governor after the nominees are submitted unless the disability, death, withdrawal, or unavailability due to appointment to another position of one or more nominees leaves the governor with fewer than two names for filling a judicial vacancy. If you include your name and contact information, please indicate if you would like to keep your comments confidential. Judicial selection in Alaska These bylaws adopted by the Alaska Judicial Council, this 15th day of February 1966; amended November 10, 1966; June 18, 1970; March 30, 1972; February 15, 1973; May 26, 1983; December 10, 1986; March 19, 1987; January 14, 1989; November 2, 1993; June 26, 1996; December 9, 1996; September 23-24, 1997; July 6-7, 1998; July 15, 2002; September 22, 2005; November 28, 2005; January 31, 2006; October 14, 2006; January 22, 2012; August 18, 2020; December 10, 2020. (C) Vice-Chair. The Council may hold public hearings on all matters relating to the administration of justice as it deems appropriate and in such places as it determines advisable. The Council shall actively encourage qualified members of the bar to seek nomination to such offices, making every effort to promote diversity, including gender and ethnic diversity, and shall strive to inform the public of Alaskas judicial and public defender selection process. Section 8. Based upon the evaluation and its determination whether a judge has met performance standards, the Council may provide a recommendation regarding retention or rejection. Mike Dunleavy. The Judicial Council may conduct judicial qualifications polls in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Council and cause the same to be circulated among the members of the Alaska Bar Association. Application Deadline - February 3, 2023 @ 3 p.m. Biographical Statements Submitted by Fairbanks Superior Court Applicants; Anchorage, Juneau, and Sitka Superior Court Applicants; and Alaska Public Defender Applicants, Alaska Judicial Council, 510 L Street, Suite 450, Anchorage, AK be retained . (A) Education.Council members and staff may speak publicly to inform the public about the Alaska Constitutions merit selection and retention system and the Councils research and other programs designed to improve the administration of justice. The Alaska Judicial Council held a hearing Monday to allow members of the public to weigh in on the selection of a replacement for Judge Jennifer K. Wells, who is retiring from the Kenai Superior Court. A Preliminary Evaluation of the Anchorage Pilot PACE Project. When not practicable, the Council may meet remotely using phone and/or video technology. Page 69 and 70: Alaska Judicial Council Recommendat; Page 71 and 72: Alaska Judicial Council Recommendat; Page 73 and 74: Alaska Judicial Council Recommendat; Page 75 and 76: Alaska Judicial Council Recommendat; Page 77 and 78: Alaska Judicial Council Recommendat; Page 79 and 80: Alaska Judicial Council Recommendat Judicial Officers of the Alaska Court System. (Oct., 1978), A Look Inside: A Pilot Project in Citizen Involvement with the Judicial System. Council members shall comply with Council bylaws and published selection and retention procedures. Although not public, the confidential sections of nominees judicial applications may be provided to the governor; Investigative research materials and internal communications that reveal sensitive personal information entitled to protection under law; and. Jonathon Katcher (Attorney Member); 2/24/20 - 2/23/26. Has little or no suitable experience, Deficient. Alaskas Adult Guardianship Mediation Project Evaluation. Three members are lawyers appointed by the board of governors of the Alaska Bar Association. Publications - Alaska Judicial Council The lawsuit sought an injunction to stop the AJC from submitting a list of potential nominees for an upcoming vacancy on the Alaska Supreme Court. Members Last updated: April 2023. Current Judicial Vacancies - Alaska Judicial Council In addition to its role in judicial selection, the AJC evaluates judge performance and makes that information available to voters. Twenty-Sixth Report: 2011-2012 to the Legislature and the Supreme Court (January 2013). The Council shall endeavor to nominate at least one more applicant than there are vacancies, to provide the governor with a choice of at least two nominees for each vacancy.5 If the Council is unable to nominate sufficient applicants for all vacancies, considering the most qualified standard in Article I, Section 2, and Article VII, Section 4, the Council may decline to send any nominees, or may send nominees to fill a specific vacancy while declining to send nominees for another.