Information for Judges

Judicial Campaign Advertising Committee

During an election year, the Judicial Campaign Advertising Committee of the CBA asks every candidate for judicial office in Franklin County to sign an agreement, indicating that the candidate will adhere to the Code of Judicial Conduct and will conduct his or her campaign in a respectable and appropriate manner. The Judicial Campaign Advertising Committee reviews campaign materials for judicial candidates to assure that the materials are truthful, do not misrepresent the candidate's or their opponent's qualifications, and do not portray the judiciary in an undignified manner. The purpose of the Committee is to assist the candidates in complying with the various regulations on judicial campaign advertising, while at the same time trying to ensure that the public has accurate information when making a decision to vote for a judge.

For more information, contact Jill Snitcher McQuain jill@cbalaw.org / 614.221.4112

Judicial Screening Committee

The Columbus Bar's Judicial Screening Committee is a bi-partisan effort to preserve and promote the equal and fair administration of justice in Franklin County. They do so through community education about the significance of the judiciary, evaluations of the performance of sitting judges, and by evaluating the fitness of those aspiring to judicial office. Prior to the November election, the Judicial Screening Committee interviews judicial candidates, considers Performance Poll results (among other things), and issues one of three recommendations regarding the candidates; Not Recommended, Acceptable, or Highly Recommended.

Judicial Performance Polls

In an effort to help maintain the high quality of our judiciary and to educate voters during an election year, every spring the Columbus Bar releases its Judicial Performance Poll of sitting judges. The Franklin County Municipal Court judges are evaluated in odd years and, in even years, the Tenth District Court of Appeals, Common Pleas, Domestic Relations, and Probate courts of Franklin County are evaluated.

Judicial Preference Polls

The Judicial Preference Poll is also conducted in the fall, surveying local attorneys about the judicial candidates they prefer. Results are released in advance of the November election in an effort to assist Franklin County voters in making informed decisions when casting their ballots for judicial candidates.

Task Force on the Independence of the Judiciary

In an effort to assist the public in understanding the operations of our courts, the CBA has a bi-partisan committee to respond to unjust attacks against judges and the judicial system. When serious, unfair criticisms or disparaging comments are made against the judicial system or a judge, the Task Force may issue a public response to correct the facts and educate the public about an important aspect of the justice system.

Read the CBA Policy on responding to unjust criticism of the judicial system. For details, contact Jill Snitcher McQuain 614/221.4112.

Justice League

An informal group comprised of the Administrative Judges from Franklin County courts, the Justice League meets quarterly to discuss issues of common concern among the judiciary and the attorneys who practice before them. For more information, contact Kathy Wiesman at 340.2063 kathy@cbalaw.org.