Frequently Asked Questions about the
Judicial Candidates Rating Coalition

Who is JCRC?
The Judicial Candidate Rating Coalition (JCRC) is made up of The Norman S. Minor Bar Association, The Ohio Women’s Bar Association, The Cuyahoga Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.

Why should voters care who is elected judge?
The decisions that judges make are important in the daily life of every citizen, but often voters know little about judges and judicial candidates when it comes time to vote. Voting without information is a poor use of our right to vote—and failing to vote because we just don’t know who to vote for wastes that right. The JCRC process of rating judicial candidates is rigorous, impartial and fair and reported in understandable terms.

What should voters look for when evaluating and selecting a judge?
In a nutshell, impartiality, integrity, temperament, diligence and professional competence.

• Impartiality - the candidate can exercise independence of thought and judgment without the improper influence of particular interest groups; the candidate is able to avoid undue influence due to personal or professional relationships, flattery, criticism or political advantage.
• Integrity - the candidate has demonstrated the highest degree of honesty; consideration for his or her fellow citizens and professional colleagues; respect for the law; a willingness to accept personal responsibility; and has not engaged conduct involving moral turpitude, dishonesty or other unethical conduct in his or her personal and professional life.
• Temperament - the candidate has good common sense, compassion, decisiveness,firmness, humility, open-mindedness, patience, tact and understanding.
• Diligence - the candidate is willing and able to make the effort necessary to meet the highest professional standards; the candidate models thoroughness, timeliness and proper preparation in the conduct of his or her professional life.
• Professional competence - the candidate has good experience and seasoning; the candidate understands the law and is intelligent and attentive to precedent and the implications of judicial rulings for the persons involved, the community, and the rule of law.

Why should the public trust your ratings?
Members of the four organizations that make up JCRC are a diverse group of men and women. Some practice solo or in a small group; others work for large firms, local companies or government. Our group includes non-lawyers who work with people or businesses whose lives or property are touched by court decisions. Our perspectives vary, but we agree on one thing: highly qualified, fair and respectful judges are essential for our community. You should also know that those who participate on the JCRC steering committee and in our interview process are not permitted to contribute to a candidate for judicial office or work on his or her campaign.

How are the candidate interview committees structured?
Each of the organizations in JCRC has its own candidate committee that processes its ratings. Members of those committees were involved in the joint interview process. Each organization has its own rules governing how ratings are given.

How did JCRC groups make their rating decisions?
Each judicial candidate who choses to participate in the JCRC process completes a lengthy questionnaire detailing his or her background and experience (you can see the questionnaire here), and appears for a confidential interview by members of the organizations that make up JCRC. These interviews are rigorous and unflinching. We ask tough questions and expect candid answers in return. After each interview, the representatives of each member organization convene to discuss their impressions of the candidate, and recommended ratings are developed and separately approved by each organization, using its own procedures.

Why are JCRC’s deliberations confidential?
We keep our interviews and deliberations confidential to ensure the free flow of information between the candidate and those doing the interviewing. In fact, everyone who participates in the process must sign a pledge of confidentiality. We share our concerns with the candidates and they’re encouraged to be candid with us. There are also strict state regulations about what a candidate for judicial office may say in public. For your information, historically, each group has kept these deliberations confidential.

When will JCRC member ratings be available to the public?
Ratings for the 2008 primaries are posted and the 2008 general elections will be posted in the Fall.

Is JCRC trying to get the judges out that you don’t like?
Absolutely not. This process is about getting qualified judges INTO office and retaining those who are qualified. The election of our judges and the decisions they make have profound effects on our families, businesses and community. No one is untouched by judicial decisions. The JCRC process also strives to encourage qualified people to run for judge in Cuyahoga County. Knowing that there is a fair process in place will help level the playing field by eliminating the “guessing game.”

Is JCRC trying to put “lawyer-friendly” people on the bench?
Absolutely not. The sole goal of JCRC is to provide information for voters that will result in justice for anyone who appears in a courtroom. This isn’t about lawyers – it’s about justice.

How will you know if this process works?
When we stop hearing from citizens – and even from some lawyers – “I don’t know who to vote for…so I didn’t vote.” We’ll also know when the candidates who receive our highest ratings are elected to office.

How do you get your funding?
Thus far, JCRC has relied on volunteer efforts and in kind contributions by those who support our voter education work, and on financial contributions by its member associations and their members.

We are hopeful that the community will recognize the value of JCRC work and support broader publication of JCRC ratings with financial contributions.

How do I get involved?
You can print and copy the ratings, or e-mail JCRC ratings or the Judge4Yourself website address to your family and friends.

Your financial contribution will help JCRC publicize its ratings and help more voters judge for themselves. Financial contributions may be sent to:

Judge4yourself.com
c/o Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
1301 E. 9th St., 2nd Level
Cleveland, Ohio 44114