Alaska Judicial Council recommends judges for retention on November ballot
The Alaska Judicial Council released a report Tuesday that all judges standing for retention met or exceeded performance standards.
Alaska judges do not run a campaign for election. Rather, the nonpartisan election determines if a judge remains in office for another term.
In Fairbanks, District Court Judge Maria P. Bahr, District Court Judge Matthew Christian and Superior Court Judge Patricia Haines are standing for retention and will be on the ballot in November.
The Alaska Judicial Council spent months collecting information on the judge from the public, jurors, attorneys, law enforcement, social services professionals, and court employees, as well as reviewing financial disclosure statements, whether the judge was subject to disciplinary proceedings, how often a judge was disqualified from presiding over a case, conflicts of interest, how often a judge’s decisions were affirmed on appeal, and whether their pay was withheld for untimely decisions, according to the council’s website.
The judges are evaluated on their knowledge of law, evidence, and procedure, their sense of fairness and justice, their integrity, judicial temperament, diligence and administrative skills.
Haines was appointed to the superior court in April 2021, and said it would be an honor to continue serving as a judge, according to a trial judge questionnaire.
“Understanding that most people want and need their cases decided as quickly as possible, I try to balance efficiency with making sure that decisions are grounded in the facts and law applicable to each case and are readily understandable to those who appear in court,” she said.
Haines serves as a member of the Workplace Conduct Committee, the Appellate Rules Committee and the Criminal Pattern Jury Instructions Committee.
She Haines received an average 4.7 out of five among attorneys and an average 4.8 from jurors.
Bahr, who was appointed to the district court in April 2021, said that it’s a privilege to serve as a judge.
“My goal is to make the court an open and fair venue for people who find themselves involved in the legal system; people come to court for reasons that may seem hard to understand, insurmountable and out of their control. I strive to make the courtroom a place where people know they are being heard and respected,” she said in a questionnaire.
Bahr serves as a member of the State Bar Ethics Committee, on the State Bar Rules Committee, and on the Magistrate Judge Conference Planning Committee.
She received an average 4.3 from attorneys and a 5 from jurors.
Christian was appointed to the district court in November 2013.
He serves as the Magistrate Training Judge and on the Magistrate Review Committee. He previously served as the Deputy Presiding Judge for the Fourth Judicial District and on the Judicial Education Committee.
“While all professions have days which are stressful and difficult, and the judiciary is no different, all in all, resolving conflict and ensuring to my utmost ability a fair and impartial platform to litigate or resolve disputes is highly rewarding,” Christian said.
He received a 4.5 overall score from attorneys and an average 4.8 from jurors.
Alaska Supreme Court Justice Dario Borghesan, Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jennifer S. Henderson, Alaska Supreme Court, Alaska Appellate Court Judge Marjorie K. Allard, Alaska Appellate Court Judge Timothy W. Terrell are also on the ballot.
For more information, visit ajc.alaska.gov.
Source: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner