Minimum Age Requirements?
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Should there be a minimum age to be nominated for a lifetime position
As I speak to people about the nominations that are approved by the Governor’s Council this question keeps coming up, should there be a minimum age for these appointments?
If someone is appointed at the age of 50 they can serve for 20 years.
In an age where so many are advocating for term limits its hard to imagine why anyone should get a 20 year term, but that is what can happen with the judiciary.
Many people have told me that they view these offices as ones that should be held by mature, experienced people. People that have excelled in their field and are ready to give back to the community they have worked with.
When people are applying for a lifetime position and they are younger than 50, they are often trying to move up the ladder rather than give back. They are looking for a pay increase, not sacrificing by accepting a pay decrease.
It is often argued that people under the age of 50, simply don’t have the gravitas for these positions.
It may be that when someone older makes a ruling that people don’t like, that everyone realizes they won’t be around for that much longer, but when someone younger makes the same mistake it is felt that it will go on for much longer.
Of course people can grow in positions, but this is not ideal if they do not start with basic experience.
Another problem with the younger nominees, is that they are always viewed with a great amount of suspicion, why are they being nominated? When it is clearly not for their experience.
On June 6th the Governor’s Council will hold hearings for two such nominees.
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Patrick McCabe
Candidate for Governor's Council District Two
Sean O'Donnell
11:59 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
How old are the nominees for tomorrow? You say younger I immediately think fresh out of college/ mid 20s.
Is there really much of a difference between someone taking the job at 46 as opposed to 50?
Patrick McCabe
1:14 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
The nominees were in their forties 48 and 43 according to my notes.
The question is experience, I suspect that there is some amount of age discrimination going on here. Attorneys may be more annoyed when someone young rules against them than when someone is older does.
When people tell me about problems with judges I am always more interested in specifics than general allegations, however the general allegations may be a starting point for discussion.
On Wednesday I did take this issue to the council, several people pointed out that asking a woman's age was unseemly, a point I agreed with and apologized for, but it was acknowledged that most nominees that are coming before the council are getting a pay increase compared to their current positions, a fact that contradicts some the general view about who these nominees are.
Patrick McCabe
Candidate for Governor's Council District Two
patrickmccabegovernorscouncil.com