Rhode
Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams says it’s time to
start filling the growing number of state judicial vacancies.
In
a one-page letter to Governor Carcieri on Feb. 15, Williams noted that
District Judge Walter Gorman notified the governor a week earlier that
he planned to retire March 31.
“Judge Gorman’s departure will
bring to seven the number of judicial vacancies in the unified court
system — more than 10 percent of our judges — a work-force reduction
that affects every court and threatens our ability to fulfill our
responsibilities to the citizens of Rhode Island, including their
access to justice,” Williams wrote. “Because many of these appointments
are overdue, I write respectfully to request, once again, that you now
fill these vacancies.”
Williams noted that under a new law, which
Carcieri pushed for, the governor is able to choose from candidate
lists that are up to five years old, in addition to the new lists of
finalists that the Judicial Nominating Commission produces each time
there is a vacancy.
“Clearly, this measure allows you to select
from a broader field of qualified individuals — especially women and
members of the minority community,” Williams wrote. “Thank for your
anticipated, immediate attention to this important responsibility.”
