Despite drawing criticism for accepting donations in the past, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson emphasized a fair and independent court during a debate against Jefferson County Judge Randy Koschnick Tuesday.
Abrahamson said she favored public financing of campaigns and defended her choice to accept public donations, even those from lawyers whose cases are currently before the court.
No one gets an advantage in our court - whether you're the biggest corporation in the world or an individual or a family of four - you are treated as an equal before the law,"" Abrahamson said. ""I listen to the facts, I study the law and I apply the law to the facts in each case.""
Koschnick, however, denied Abrahamson's assertions, saying it is impossible to expect a judge to not show favoritism.
""Over 90 percent of America thinks it's not right for judges to be acting on cases where they have received contributions from one or more parties involved in the case,"" he said. ""Justices should recuse themselves or return the money.""
Abrahamson responded by enforcing the notion that no contributor would influence her in any way.
""Every candidate on the court, and Judge Koschnick too, has accepted contributions from lawyers,"" she said. ""If the case isn't there now, it was there yesterday, and if it's not here today, it's comin' tomorrow.""
Abrahamson emphasized that the best thing for a justice to have is a diverse, large number of supporters, from plaintiffs to counsels.
""If there's a specific concern about my sitting on a case then lawyers know what to do,"" she said. ""They make a motion for recusal and I will consider it.""
As far as the judge being able to ask for contributions, Koschnick was uncertain about his stance, or if he would begin to do so.
Abrahamson promoted her ability to make decisions not on the basis of public or lawyer opinion, or any extraneous pressures, while Koschnick emphasized strict judicial restraint.
Both Koschnick and Abrahamson encouraged people to get out and make their vote for judges and justices because it is a power that belongs to the people.
Koschnick hopes to replace Abrahamson for her state Supreme Court chief justice seat in August after the general election on April 7.
