Chapter 5: Judges Flashcards
judge
a political officer who has been elected or appointed to preside over a court of law
judicial process
sequence of procedures designed to resolve disputes or conclude a criminal case
partisan elections
candidates endorsed by political parties are presented to the voters for selection
nonpartisan elections
candidates who are not endorsed by political parties are presented to the voters for selection
judicial appointments
selections of judges by political figures; governors or presidents
merit selection
reform plan in which judges are nominated by a committee and appointed by the governor for a given period
kales plan
a committee of experts creates a list of qualified persons for judgeships and makes recommendations to governor ;1914 version of the Missouri plan
missouri plan
selecting judges in which a merit system for appointments is used.
interim judge
the temporary judge who is appointed following the death, registration, or retirement of another judge
incumbents
political officers who are currently in power; who are seeking to be re-elected or reappointed
centralization
limited distribution of power among a few top staff members of an organization
harmful errors
errors made by judges that may be prejudicial to a defendant’s case.
reversible errors
mistakes committed by judges during the trial that may result in the reversal of convictions against defendants
judicial conduct commission
investigating complaints against judges.
impeachment
proceeding for the removal of a political officer
