Heather Sweetland, a retiring judge in Minnesota, wrote in an opinion piece for the Duluth News Tribune that diversity is important in the selection of new judges. Minnesota has a merit selection system in which a commission, appointed by the governor and the Minnesota Supreme Court, suggest a slate of candidates for the governor to choose new judges from.
Sweetland said diversity doesn't just mean gender and ethnicity, but diversity in practice experience: "It’s important to have a diverse judiciary. This is more than requesting applicants who are women or minorities. It includes having people on the bench with a wide variety of legal experience. Attorneys who have been in private practice are crucial additions to the bench. People who have served as public defenders, private-defense counsel or prosecutors are also important."
Lawyer and Legal Journalist
