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Supreme Weekly: The week in transparency
This article may not adhere to Ballotpedia’s current neutrality policies.
March 3, 2011
by Katy Farrell
SOUTH DAKOTA
At the conclusion of a three year study, this week the South Dakota Supreme Court announced the introduction of video and still cameras into the state's trial courts. Previous use of these devices was prohibited under rules established by the high court.
Cameras will be utilized in courtrooms when all parties agree to it or if the trial judge deems it appropriate, though all parties have not consented. By law, cameras are still not allowed to document juvenile proceedings.[1]
Chief Justice David Gilbertson praised the adaptability of the decision, saying, "The Court has chosen a middle path on this issue to insure that persons who come into our courts continue to receive a fair trial. We will closely follow how these new proceedings work. This will also allow the judges, attorneys and other court personnel to become familiar and comfortable with this new environment. In the future, if this current system works without difficulties and the Court deems it appropriate, the Supreme Court has the option of looking at expansion of the system. On the other hand, if significant problems arise the Court can also correct those."[1]
WEST VIRGINIA
This week, the West Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill to increase public funding for Supreme Court campaigns in the state. The bill expands the pilot program started last year, which used donations and money from the state's purchasing card system, by adding another $2 million. This additional money comes from the state's unclaimed property trust fund. If this bill passes in the Senate, West Virginia will become one of three states with complete public financing for Supreme Court candidates.[2]
The two states with publicly financed Supreme Court elections are North Carolina and Wisconsin. North Carolina was the first state to adopt the process, in 2002, with the North Carolina Judicial Campaign Reform Act.[3] Recently, a poll was conducted in the state to measure the public's perception of this system. To read more, visit: North Carolina voters polled about judicial campaign contributions
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin's Spring Election will be held in one month, on April 5, 2011. This is the first year that Supreme Court candidates qualify for public financing for use during their campaigns.
However, because of this week's developments, it appears that the first election to use public financing in the state may also be the last. Under Governor Steven Walker's budget proposal, the money available for this program will no longer come out of the Democracy Trust Fund, through the state's general fund. Instead, taxpayers could choose it from their tax returns in the form of a $3 donation that will be deducted from their personal return. While this option doesn't officially stop public funding, the drastic reduction of funds available would make it impossible for anyone but the most dedicated candidates.[4]
To find out more about the candidates, visit: Wisconsin judicial elections, 2011.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 South Dakota Courts, Press Release: "Supreme Court Adopts Rules for Expanded Media Coverage of South Dakota's Trial Courts," February 28, 2011
- ↑ The Charleston Gazette, "House approves Supreme Court election bill," March 2, 2011
- ↑ Public Campaign.org, "Brief History of Fair Elections Victories,"
- ↑ The Capital Times, "Crime and Courts: Walker's budget all but kills public financing for Supreme Court races," March 2, 2011
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