Reader would rule out lawyers

Dear Editor:

I have the picture. We have two judges running for the same office and Judge Duggan's campaign is asking for donations from lawyers to finance his effort. Judge Duggan says it is OK because it doesn't affect what he does in his courtroom. The lawyers may think that by making donations they will receive more favorable treatment and rulings than their opponents in Judge Duggan's courtroom.

I know that lawyers are not so naive that they would invest their hard-earned money in something and not expect to get results. The first question in their mind is; will it hurt me if I don't make a donation? It should concern us that the lawyers association doesn't see anything wrong with this, and in fact its director states that it is "normal." However they also believe if a candidate is able to "run without attorney contributions then that certainly is a good thing."

The other Judge (Meares) refuses to take donations from lawyers because he believes it has the appearance of being unethical and that justice is for sale in the courtroom to the highest bidder. That is my perception also, and if I were to have a case in Judge Duggans court I would want my lawyer to rank high up on his donation list. It sounds good to me that Judge Meares will not remember which lawyers made donations to his campaign while carrying out his judicial duties since he is refusing them.

Of course, Judge Duggan could disqualify himself from all cases where an attorney had donated him money. If this were to happen, he could take a long vacation from the courtroom.

Sincerely,

Lisa Misosky
204 Spruce St.
Alcoa, TN 37701