Copyright 2005, Associated Press

Judges, attorneys to discuss pay and discipline

(Associated Press 2/10/05) -- About 100 California judges and attorneys will meet behind closed doors next week to discuss whether to float a ballot measure to increase judicial salaries and their terms, change the way lawmakers fund the courts and put more teeth in a commission that oversees judicial conduct.

Chief Justice Ronald M. George is convening the Thursday meeting.

Among other things, the panel will consider rules guaranteeing the courts' budgets are funded at no less than the previous year's allotments - a move to prevent cutbacks. It also will consider increasing trial judge's terms from six to 10 years.

The group will also discuss giving more powers to the Commission on Judicial Performance, which can currently reprimand or remove judges but has no authority to adopt additional penalties.

Judge's salaries will also be an issue. Trial judges annually earn $143,138, the chief justice, $191,483.

Peter Scheer, executive director of the California First Amendment Coalition, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the private gathering might violate open meeting laws.

The group said any proposals drawn from the meeting would be vetted in public, and having a closed meeting would allow participants to speak freely.