University alumnus Leroy Hassell, now Virginia Supreme Court chief justice, spoke to students during Politics Prof. Larry J. Sabato's PLAP 101, "Introduction to American Politics" class yesterday afternoon.
Hassell discussed judicial policy and also encouraged students to become involved and to effect change.
Most states popularly elect justices to their respective courts, according to Hassell.
"I think that is an awful way to do business," Hassell said.
Virginia judges are selected by the General Assembly.
"I don't agree with [popularly electing justices] because I don't believe one should be assessed in his or her fitness to serve based on how he or she voted on one or two cases," Hassell said. "We should select people as judges who are competent, fair, patient, respectful and humble. We should not select people based upon promises they make."
Hassell also discussed negative advertising in judicial races "that will make you sick."
Hassell is the first black chief justice of the Virginia Supreme Court, Sabato said.
According to Hassell, the state Supreme Court hears 3,100 to 3,200 cases a year.
Hassell also said several cases heard by the Virginia Supreme Court were reviewed by the United States Supreme Court. Two involved a Virginia statute which prohibits burning a cross with intent to intimidate. The state court found the law to be unconstitutional because it violated freedom of speech. The decision was reversed by the United State Supreme Court.
Hassell also discussed decisions involving the execution of mentally retarded people. In Atkins v. Virginia, the state court found that mentally retarded convicts could be executed. Hassell dissented and the United States Supreme Court eventually overturned the decision.
"We have to make sure these people are treated fairly and appropriately," Hassell said. "Sheriffs are not given mental health training and the Commonwealth has not allocated sufficient funding" for the training.
According to Hassell, half of the population will encounter the judicial system at some point in their lives and half of these will not be able to afford good lawyers.
Hassell said he requested the General Assembly to give the judicial system an additional $25 million to pay court-appointed attorneys. He received about $8 million.
Virginia has the lowest amount of compensation for court-appointed attorneys in the nation, according to Hassell.
"That is just wrong, wrong, wrong," Hassell said.
In his concluding remarks, Hassell encouraged audience members to get involved to improve society.
"Any one person has within him or her the power to improve the world and never ever forget that," Hassell said.
Before the speech, Sabato noted that he and Hassell lived in the same Lawn room a few years apart from each other.
Sabato said Hassell's remarks were "inspirational."
"I appreciate the fact that you tell young people" they can change the world, Sabato said to Hassell. "They will follow through and you will see some of them in court and they will not be defendants."
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