Alaska judicial news

From Judgepedia

News about or affecting the judiciary in Alaska.

Alaska high court steps in on DUI case

Anchorage, Alaska: The Alaska Supreme Court issued a ruling that says that a police officer signaling for a driver to back up counts as a seizure that cannot be made unless the officer has legitimate reason for doing so.^[1]

Alaska Supreme Court blocks attempt to secede

Alaska: The Alaska Supreme Court rejected another attempt by Alaskan resident Scott Kohlhaas to place secession from the United States on the ballot. Kohlhaas has made two previous attempts, both being rejected.^[1]

Four Judges Reappointed to Alaska Superior Court Districts

Anchorage, Alaska: Supreme Court Justice Dana Fabe reappointed the four presiding justices of the Alaska Superior Courts to their respective positions. The appointments were as follows: Patricia Collins to the 1st District; Ben Esch to the 2nd District; Sharon Gleason to the 3rd District; Douglas Blankenship to the 4th District.^[1]

Parnell makes his first Supreme Court appointment

Alaska: Republican Governor Sean Parnell has made his first appointment to the Alaska Supreme Court. He selected Craig Stowers from the seven candidates recommended to him by the Alaska Judicial Council, narrowed down from a record number of 25 applicants for the seat. ^[1]

Governor Parnell said of the appointment: "Judge Stowers’ character, legal experience, his strong work ethic, his intellect, and his record of service to Alaska’s people have prepared him to be an outstanding member of our state’s highest court. Alaskans will benefit immensely from his service on the Supreme Court." ^[2]

Stowers received his undergraduate degree from Blackburn College in Illinois in 1975 and his law degree from the University of California Davis in 1985.

After graduation, Stowers clerked for U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Robert Boochever, and then Alaska Supreme Court Justice Warren Matthews. In 1987 Stowers joined the law firm Atkinson, Conway & Gagnon and worked with them until becoming a founding partner in the law firm Clapp, Peterson and Stowers. He stayed there from 1995 until his appointment to the a seat on the superior court bench for the Third Judicial District in Anchorage, Alaska. He was appointed to that court by Governor Frank Murkowski in 2004. ^[2][3]

Pfiffner appointed to Alaska Third District

Alaska: Frank Pfiffner is a newly appointed judge for the Third Judicial District Superior Court serving Anchorage, Alaska. He was appointed on October 29, 2009 by Republican Governor Sean Parnell. ^[1]

Pfiffner graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1974. ^[2] He had been a partner in the Anchorage law firm Pfiffner Gorski Seedorf and Odsen since 1974. His primary focus has been on commercial and tort litigation. ^[3]

Pfiffner was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2008 and 2009 editions, is a member of the American Law Institute, and has the highest possible rating from the Martindale-Hubbell attorney rating system ^[1]

Candidates for the Alaska Supreme Court narrowed

Alaska: Of the 25 applicants to fill Robert Eastaugh's seat on the Alaska Supreme Court, which will open when he retires effective November 2, 2009, seven have been nominated by the Alaska Judicial Council and recommended to the Governor. These seven are: David Case, Andy Harrington, Michael MacDonald, Eric Smith, Craig Stowers, Philip Volland and Daniel Westerburg. ^[1]

The applicants were rated by the Alaska Bar Poll, and the highest overall performance rating earned was 4.3 out of 5, which was earned by Superior Court judge Philip Volland. Full results can be viewed here.

Governor Sean Parnell has 45 days to fill the vacancy. Appointed justices are then subject to a retention election at the state's first general election that is more than 3 years after the appointment. After that, the five justices are subject to a retention elections every ten years. ^[2]

Alaska Bar Poll rating 19 applicants for Supreme Court released

Alaska: The Alaska Judicial Council has released the results of the Alaska Bar Poll rating results of the 19 applicants still in the running for the Alaska Supreme Court. The highest overall performance rating earned was 4.3 out of 5, and it was earned by Superior Court judges Trevor Stephens and Philip Volland. Full results can be viewed here.

The Judicial Council will proceed to interviews with the applicants and conduct a public hearing in October 2009. The Council is also soliciting public comment on the applicants via mail. Following the interviews, the Council will recommend a minimum of two names to the Governor, who will choose one for the appointment.

The vacancy on the court is due to the retirement of Justice Robert Eastaugh which will be effective November 2, 2009. ^[1][2]

Federal lawsuit filed alleging judicial selection process is unfair

Alaska: A lawsuit was brought against the State of Alaska in federal court (Hinger v. Carpeneti) on June 3, 2009 alleging that the system of selecting judges gives lawyers more of a voice in selecting judges than ordinary citizens. The lawsuit alleges that because three of the seven members of the Judicial Council are selected by the Board of Governors and the Alaska Bar Association, it denies "the citizens of Alaska an equal voice and vote in the selection of justices and judges." Two of the plaintiffs are voters and the third is an attorney with the Alaska Bar Association. One of the voters is a member of the Board of Governors. ^[1]

Carpeneti Alaska's new Chief Justice

Alaska: Walter Carpeneti was elected by a unanimous vote of the justices to become the new chief judge of the Alaska Supreme Court. He will assume the position formerly held by Dana Fabe on July 1, 2009. ^[1]

Carpeneti was appointed to the Supreme Court by then-Governor Tony Knowles in 1988. He was retained by the voters of Alaska in 2002, and will again be subject to a retention election in 2012.

Newest Supreme Court justice appointed

Governor Sarah Palin appointed Morgan Christen to the Alaska Supreme Court in early 2009. Christen is the second woman to serve on the state's Supreme Court.

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