CALA criticizes Ketchum’s change of heart on need for new appellate court
by admin on 18/02/10 at 12:54 pm
The West Virginia Record
By Chris Dickerson
February 18, 2010
CHARLESTON — A statewide judicial reform group is criticizing state Supreme Court Justice Menis Ketchum for switching gears on the need for an intermediate appellate court.
During his 2008 campaign for the Supreme Court, Ketchum said West Virginia needed an intermediate appellate court. But during a Feb. 9 budget hearing before the House of Delegate’s Finance Committee, Ketchum said he no longer is in favor of adding such a court, which officials say would cost at least $8 million a year.
“Justice Ketchum was quick to break his campaign promise, especially since it now appears that he’s putting a price tag on the amount of fairness our state courts can afford,” said Richie Heath, executive director of West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse. “And, instead of having a meaningful debate on the subject, Justice Ketchum is clearly inflating the cost estimates in an effort to diminish support for an intermediate appeals court.”
Heath said Ketchum should look past dollar figures.
“It would be a mistake to characterize the legal rights of West Virginians as simply another budgetary program,” Heath said. “We also cannot forget the jobs that will be lost in our state by doing nothing.
“Given that the Governor’s Independent Commission on Judicial Reform highlighted the needs of West Virginians to access an intermediate court of appeals, it is disappointing that members of the Supreme Court aren’t even open to discussion on the topic.”
The topic of an intermediate appellate court is a hot topic right now at the statehouse. Chief Justice Robin Jean Davis’ recent comments about how she doesn’t see the need for such a court has sparked a war of words. The Court is in the process of updating rules about appeals.
