Superior Court Judges Conference Resolution
Article Date: Friday, October 13, 2006
Written By: Russell Rawlings
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, it has been brought to the attention of the North Carolina Conference of Superior Court Judges (the “Conference”) that the North Carolina Bar Association, through its Administration of Justice Committee, currently has under consideration and study the concept and design of a formalized program for the performance evaluation of judicial officers of the North Carolina General Court of Justice (the “Study”); and
WHEREAS, the stated goals of the Study are the enhancement of (1) judicial quality and performance, (2) public understanding and awareness of the critical importance of independent judges to our system of justice and (3) public education concerning the qualifications of various candidates for judicial office; and
WHEREAS, the Conference deems the stated goals of the Study to be appropriate and important to the continued growth of the quality of our judiciary and system of justice, so long as such goals are to be achieved in a way supportive of and not in derogation of an independent judiciary;
NOW THEREFORE, it HEREBY is RESOLVED that the Conference expresses its preliminary support for the Study; PROVIDED that: (1) any judicial performance evaluation program considered by the Study shall be designed to promote affirmatively the quality and independence of the North Carolina judiciary and (2) appropriate representatives of this Conference and all other trial and appellate court divisions of the General Court of Justice shall be offered a voice in the Study.
RESOLVED, this the 13th day of October, 2006.
NORTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE OF SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES
By:_______________________________
Quentin T. Sumner, President