The Merits and Disadvantages of Judicial Elections

The Journal of Law & Politics will examine judicial elections at its annual symposium on Friday, October 23, 2015, from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. in the Caplin Pavilion at the University of Virginia School of Law. 

The symposium will bring together scholars and practitioners from both sides of the debate to examine the value of giving citizens the ability to have a say in their local jurisprudence, versus the threat of politicized justice.

"Several states allow the citizenry to elect local judges," said third-year law student Travis Andrews, editor-in-chief of JLP. "Yet there appears to be a wide spectrum of opinion on this practice, both within the academic community and among legal practitioners."

Justice Brent D. Benjamin of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia will deliver the keynote address at 12:05 p.m. in the Caplin Pavilion. Justice Benjamin was elected in 2004 and served as chief justice in 2009 and 2013.  

More information about this event can be found at University of Virginia School of Law.