Projo Politics Blog

Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams says it’s time to start filling the growing number of state judicial vacancies.

In a one-page letter to Governor Carcieri on Feb. 15, Williams noted that District Judge Walter Gorman notified the governor a week earlier that he planned to retire March 31.

“Judge Gorman’s departure will bring to seven the number of judicial vacancies in the unified court system — more than 10 percent of our judges — a work-force reduction that affects every court and threatens our ability to fulfill our responsibilities to the citizens of Rhode Island, including their access to justice,” Williams wrote. “Because many of these appointments are overdue, I write respectfully to request, once again, that you now fill these vacancies.”

Williams noted that under a new law, which Carcieri pushed for, the governor is able to choose from candidate lists that are up to five years old, in addition to the new lists of finalists that the Judicial Nominating Commission produces each time there is a vacancy.

“Clearly, this measure allows you to select from a broader field of qualified individuals — especially women and members of the minority community,” Williams wrote. “Thank for your anticipated, immediate attention to this important responsibility.”

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By Katherine Gregg, Edward Fitzpatrick, Steve Peoples and Cynthia Needham
Journal State House bureau

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