ASSEMBLYMEMBER TED LIEU
53RD ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
For Immediate Release: May 7, 2008
Contact: Ashlie Simpson
Phone: (916) 319-2053

Lieu Introduces Bill on “Not Qualified” Judges

Sacramento, CA –Today, Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) introduced legislation that would require the California State Bar to disclose the fact that a gubernatorial appointee to the state bench is rated “not qualified.”  This bill would keep the public better informed of the caliber of people the Governor is placing on the bench.

“Having a diverse group of judges is part of the way we ensure the public’s trust in the legal system,” said Assemblymember Lieu.  “We are going to stay on the Governor until his record improves.”

AB 1725 is in response to a crucial lack of diversity amongst the Governor’s judicial appointments.  When questioned about this discrepancy, the Governor cites lack of qualified minority candidates.  However, last May, the Governor appointed Republican businessman Elia Pirozzi to the San Bernardino County bench, even after the Judicial Nominee Evaluation committee rated him "not qualified."

The State Bar’s Judicial Nominee Evaluation Committee (JNE) is responsible for making unbiased assessments of all judicial aspirants.  It is made up of unanimous active members of the State Bar and former judiciary members and performs a comprehensive evaluation of each candidate’s qualifications.  AB 1725 would require the State Bar to make public any judicial appointment that has received a not-qualified rating from the JNE Committee.

“Every time we’ve raised the issue of judicial diversity, the pushback is that the Governor only looks for the most qualified applicants;” stated Assemblymember Lieu.  “That is a false argument because there are more than enough qualified minorities to fill the precious few judicial vacancies available each year.  The Governor also has no standing to make his false argument when he himself appointed at least one non minority who was rated not qualified.  This will better inform the public of who the Governor is appointing to our courts.”

AB 1725 will be heard in committee in the coming weeks.