FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the JNC Network?
The JNC Network is an unique organization of judicial nominating commissioners and administrative staff who work with judicial nominating commissions.  The Network is designed to facilitate communication among and assistance to commissions as they perform the vital task of reviewing judicial applicants.

What is a Judicial Nominating Commission?
In those states that have adopted a “merit selection” system of choosing all or some of their judges, a judicial nominating commission composed of both lawyers and non-lawyers is established to review applications for a judicial vacancy and recommend the most qualified people for appointment to the bench.  The rules that govern nominating commissions vary greatly from state to state, but every commission has the fundamental goal of ensuring that applicants are assessed on their knowledge of the law, their experience, their demeanor, and their ability to be fair and impartial judges.  For more information about judicial nominating commissions, click here.

What is “merit selection”? 
Merit selection is a system whereby the state sets up a bipartisan nominating commission, including members of the legal community as well as citizens. When a vacancy occurs on the court, applicants submit their applications to this nominating commission. The commission then reviews the applications, conducts interviews with the applicants, and assesses the qualifications of each. The commission creates a list of names of those they feel are most qualified for the job (this list usually contains 3-8 names depending upon the state). This list is given to the appointing authority (usually the governor) who chooses one of the people on the list and appoints that person to a judgeship. After serving, the judge’s name is then regularly placed on the ballot for a “retention election” and citizens get to decide whether or not they will retain their seat on the bench.

Can I be a member of the JNC Network if I’m not a nominating commissioner?
Generally speaking, the JNC Network is an organization of commissioners and/or staff members who work with nominating commissioners (including staff from the judicial, legislative, or executive branches).  If you have questions about whether or not you are eligible to join, please contact Rachel Paine Caufield, Tim Eckley, or Malia Reddick. 

How much does it cost to become a member of the JNC Network?
A 2009 membership to the JNC Network is free to all nominating commissioners and those staff members who work with nominating commissioners.   

Who runs the JNC Network?
The American Judicature Society (AJS) is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining the fair and impartial administration of justice.  For nearly 100 years, AJS has advocated merit selection of judges as one way to minimize political influences in the justice system.  To preserve and improve merit selection, AJS has set up the JNC Network to allow more and better communication among commissioners, to provide information and support for commissioners, and to draw attention to reforms that can help nominating commissions strengthen and improve their rules and procedures as well as their relationships with public officials and private citizens.