Justice in North Carolina under brutal attack

[G_j]

http://amp.heraldsun.com/opinion/article172241102.html

Justice in North Carolina under attack – Marcia Morey

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Bill by bill, Republican legislators ultimately passed numerous laws that served to undermine justice and politicize the judiciary, a branch of our government that has been enshrined in impartiality and a commitment to fairness since our nation’s founding.

The first assault was the bill to make all judicial races partisan. Despite the governor’s veto, it passed and will dramatically change to how judges are selected. Every judge and judicial candidate will no longer run on their experience or quality of their performance as a jurist but they will now be defined as Republican or Democrat which could be a controlling factor above professional qualifications.

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This new law was just the start. Other laws enacted during 2017 legislative session include: The number of the Court of Appeals was reduced from 15 judges to 12 to prevent a Democratic governor from appointing replacements for three appellate court seats upon the judges’ mandatory retirement age. Another law has Supreme Court justices hearing appeals of termination of parental rights cases, formerly and appropriately heard by the Court of Appeals.

Finally the budget slashed funding for legal aid. The budget of the Department of Justice was cut $10 million. Emergency judges were limited and in a most bizarre provision, trial court judges will be prohibited from waiving court costs or fees unless certified mail is sent 15 days in advance to an exhaustive list of state agencies that may be impacted.

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But the biggest threat of all to our independent judiciary is around the corner, , and if Paul Revere were on horseback, he would be sounding the alarm across the state: “Judicial redistricting is coming!”

..more..

Marcia Morey serves in the N.C. House of Representatives, District 30 (Durham), and a former Chief District Court Judge, (Durham, 1999-2017).

[Glorfindel]

1. Sounds as if North Carolina is trying desperately to become East Mississippi

what a shame.

[G_j]

2. Certainly

a race to the bottom, and when they get there, they keep digging.