Posted by
NOTLEGALROADKILLYET on Tuesday, September 05, 2006 10:23:31 AM
The G-T finished its
three part series on Judge Shakes. I have never met Judge Shakes, nor have I met any of the other judges who have served in the 4th Judicial District.
I am a fan of judges who have extensive experience as military judges, and would like to see Judge Shakes eventually serve on the state supreme court. Here's why:
1. Without doubt, the US has the best military in the world. A significant reason for that fact is that military officers, unlike much of the rest of society, consider their word their bond. Officers who fail this test are eliminated early in their career. Unethical officers simply don't have a career. A Colonel, and Shakes is a Colonel, has met and passed this test many times in his career.
2. Army Colonels, even members of the Judge Advocate General's Corps, don't brook nonsense. They are both hard nosed and fair at the same time. In a volunteer army, soldiers don't willingly follow officers who aren't considered fair, or if they do, their morale suffers. (If there is one thread through this blog, it is that my judge has not only been oblivious to the nonsense being pulled by the defense attorney, he has been studiously oblivious-yet he thinks highly enough of his own qualifications that he apparently applied to fill the last supreme court vacancy!)
3. One of the qualities I want in all judges is the ability to put aside partisan politics and judge each controversy solely on the constitutions, the law, and the facts. The current state supreme court majority is made up of the most unapologetically partisan individuals I can imagine being promoted to that high office. Contrast that with a judge who has training as a military judge. Most Americans would be hard pressed to identify any military officer who does not suppress his political opinions. Regulations require it, and they are enforced.
4. We actually have a very good set of judicial ethics rules and lawyer ethics rules on paper. The problem is that no one, not the lawyers, not the judges, and especially not me believes they will be enforced. This wouldn't be a problem if the supreme court had justices of the quality of Judge Shakes. It doesn't.