Minneapolis (09-09-08): -- The Hennepin County Bar Association, partnering with the League of Women Voters and WATCH (We Are at the Courthouse), will be hosting two public forums focused on judicial candidates and the judicial selection process.  The forums coincide with upcoming judicial elections, where two Minnesota Supreme Court seats and three Hennepin County District Court seats are being contested.  The forums are free and open to the public.  Reservations are not required. 

The Judicial Issues Forum takes place Wednesday, September 17, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Temple Israel, 2324 Emerson Ave. S, Minneapolis.  A panel of informed dignitaries including former Governor Al Quie, State Representative Steve Simon and Hennepin County Bar Association President Mary Vasaly will discuss judicial selection issues. Professor Larry Jacobs, with the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute, will moderate the discussion.  Calls have been made for significant change to the selection of judges in Minnesota as a result of recent lawsuits that allow candidates more freedom to discuss positions on issues of law and to receive the endorsement of political parties if they choose.

The Judicial Candidates Forum takes place Monday, September 22, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Hennepin County Bar Association, located in City Center, Suite 390, 600 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.  Former judge and current director of the Council on Crime and Justice, Pamela Alexander, will moderate discussion by candidates for seats on the Hennepin County District Court.  The two candidates seeking to fill the open judicial seat, as well as two sitting judges and their challengers will make their case for being elected to the bench. 

Additional information on judicial candidates is available on the HCBA website, www.hcba.org/Activities/Services/A View of the Bench/Judges.aspx.