FIC Committee Information
“There has to be someplace where being right is more important than being popular or powerful, and where fairness trumps strength. And in our country, that place is supposed to be the courtroom.” – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (Ret.)
Alaska’s Constitution: Selecting Judges Based on Merit
“I believe that an independent and impartial judiciary is essential to our constitutional republic.” – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh
Fair and Impartial Courts Information
What is the Fair and Impartial Courts (FIC) Standing Committee? What does it do?
In 2011, the Standing Committee on Fair and Impartial Courts was created by the Alaska Bar Association Board of Governors in order to explain, promote, and educate about fair and impartial courts. Click here to view the establishing documents.
Through this website and in person or remote educational opportunities, the Committee provides education on the concept of judicial independence and to educate the public about and promote the concept of judicial independence. This includes educational opportunities that explain the history of the Alaska judicial selection and retention system and how it functions.
The Committee is composed of 20 attorney volunteer bar members selected by the Board of Governors.
What does the FIC Standing Committee not do?
The FIC Standing Committee does not take official positions or advice for or against a candidate for judicial nomination or retention.
It does not take an official position regarding candidates for political office, appointments to the Alaska Judicial Council, judicial decisions, or a public official’s statements about a judicial decision.
Education and Speaker Requests
The Committee organizes presentations and speaker events on the topic of the Alaska’s Constitutional judicial selection and retention system upon request for organizations. To request a speaker or assistance with an educational event, please contact the Alaska Bar Association at info@alaskabar.org.
Selecting Judges Based on Merit
“Alaska is fortunate to have the constitutional guarantee of the merit system for the selection of judges. Our merit system has worked well in Alaska. It has produced high quality judges with integrity and abundant skills and it has kept out corrupting political influences that trouble other states.” – Judge Thomas Stewart, 1919-2007 (Secretary, Alaska Constitutional Convention)
Selecting Judges Based on Merit
Retaining Judges
“I’ve been a lawyer for forty years and a judge for over thirty. But I’ve been a basketball fan all my life. In courtrooms as on the basketball court, Alaskans expect fair play. Judges who honor the duty to be fair and impartial should not be attacked for doing their jobs. This election season, learn about Alaska’s judges up for retention. And when you vote, vote for fairness—for everyone. Because justice, like basketball, requires a level court.” – Justice Walter L. Carpeneti (Alaska Supreme Court, 1998-2013)
Frequently Asked Questions
“Justice isn’t liberal or conservative, left-wing or right-wing. Justice isn’t about politics, and doesn’t turn with the political tides. Justice is the safe harbor that all of us seek—whatever our political stripe—when we find ourselves caught in a storm.” – Bill Gordon (Businessman, Fairbanks; Alaska Bar Association Board of Governors, Former Public Member)
What are Fair & Impartial Courts, and why do they matter?
Who gets to be a judge? Are some ways of choosing judges better than others?
How does Alaska make sure its judges are fair and impartial?
How does Alaska’s merit selection process work?
Education and Resources
“As a former law enforcement officer and a past public member of the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct, I witnessed just how important it is to have a non-political/non-elected judiciary in our state. As a result of our merit selection process and a proactive scrutiny of our judiciary that leaves no stone unturned, we have some of the finest legal and ethical minds in the country sitting on the bench.” – First sergeant Dianne Brown (Former Alaska State Trooper, 1977-1998)
Meet Alaska’s Judges
Videos
Alaska’s Constitutional Convention Adopts “The Best Way to Choose the Best Judges.”
Click on the photos below for video interviews from these Alaska Constitutional Convention participants
Thomas B. Stewart John B. “Jack” Coghill Victor Fischer
Secretary Delegate Delegate
Finish the Ballot Alaska:
The Fair and Impartial Courts Committee’s two-minute video explaining our judicial selection and retention system, encouraging voters to inform themselves and to “finish the ballot” by voting on judges standing for retention.
Additional Videos and Interviews:
Alaska Edition: Judicial Council | Alaska Public Media
Justice Carpeneti’s interview
Fair and Free – featuring Sandra Day O’Connor
Judge Elaine Andrews interview with AARP Alaska Part 1
Judge Elaine Andrews interview with AARP Alaska Part 2
Choosing Alaska’s judges
Finding a lawyer: What are the options?
Anatomy of a criminal case
The legal fallout from divorce
What is Justice?
“Alaskans can be grateful for its framers’ commitment to one of the most important cornerstones of democratic government: a strong and independent judiciary. For over half a century, their wisdom has given strength and meaning to the promise of justice for all.” – Retired Justice Warren W. Matthews (Alaska Supreme Court 1977-2009)
Who Am I?
My name is Justice. I represent the ideal of perfect justice. I wear a blindfold because I rule based on the law, not on factors such as the race, wealth, power, or social status of those who come before me. I carry an empty, balanced scale because I stand ready to receive and weigh fairly the evidence and legal arguments that are presented to me. And sometimes I carry a sword, to symbolize the power of the rule of law to help shape a just society. For centuries, I have signified that justice requires the fair and impartial administration of the law, without fear or favor.
For more information, click here.
About Us
This committee is responsible for activities to educate the public about and promote the concept of fair and impartial courts.
In April 2022, the Board voted to reinstate the Fair and Impartial Courts (FIC) Committee’s Guidelines and 2014 Resolution. For more information click the links below.
2014 FIC Resolution
FIC Committee Guidelines
Contact Us
“The judiciary must not take on the coloration of whatever may be popular at the moment. We are guardian of rights, and we have to tell people things they often do not like to hear. “-Rose Bird, 1936-1999, Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court
This website is sponsored by the Standing Committee on Fair and Impartial Courts of the Alaska Bar Association.
Committee on Fair and Impartial Courts
Alaska Bar Association
840 K Street, Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99501
Email: info@alaskabar.org
Phone: 907-272-7469
www.alaskabar.org
