Justices hold forum
By Hillary Haenes
Managing Editor
hhaenes@sbcglobal.net
Justice Dennis Cornell, center, draws laughter from the crowd and fellow justices Herbert Levy, left, and Brad Hill, right, after putting on his sunglasses in the middle of the Open Forum with the Justices held on Oct. 29 in the Multi-Purpose Room.
Last Thursday, Oct. 29, the Political Science Department held an open forum in the Student Union’s Multi-Purpose Room with the Justices from California’s Fifth District Court of Appeal. Eight of the nine justices arrived at California State University, Bakersfield protected by their security guards to discuss judicial activism, judicial independence and their own judicial philosophies. The justices also told personal stories from their days of attending law school and their trials and tribulations they have gone through to get where they are today. CSUB students, faculty, staff and community members were invited to this exceptional forum to listen, as well as ask questions to the justices who hear approximately 22,000 appeals a year.
Department Chair of the Political Science Department and professor Michael Ault greeted the audience members and welcomed the justices, then introduced President Horace Mitchell to give his welcome speech. Mitchell said that it was great to see the Blue Room full of people and that it is an unprecedented opportunity for students to hear from the entire panel of justices.
Eight of the nine justices from from the 5th District share their experiences in the courtroom and personal experiences with guests in attendance during the Open Forum with the Justices.
“As President Mitchell stated in his welcoming remarks, this was an ‘unprecedented event’ for our campus. Justices rarely speak publicly while in office and if they do, they usually are scripted and prepared remarks. Our department’s open forum provided an opportunity to speak candidly. What also made this a rare event was that the justices shared intimate details about their backgrounds and their motivations to get into the legal field. Several of them are CSU alumni and I think their stories will have a large impact on CSUB students,” said Ault.
Deputy District Attorney Wendy Avila, who also teaches political science classes at CSUB, was the moderator for the event. She stated that it was a rare opportunity and a privilege to get all of the justices together and have them be open and candid about court and their personal lives.
Justice Rebecca A. Wiseman, center, talks about life as a member of the 5th District Court of Appeal. Wiseman served as a judge in the Bakersfield Municipal Court from 1986 to 1991, and on the Kern County Superior Court from 1991 to 1995 before being appointed Associate Justice to the California Court of Appeal, 5th Appellate District.
The justices each took turns speaking their ideas and opinions. When asked about describing the end decision of a case, Associate Justice Herbert I. Levy said that even if the justices did not agree on the outcome of a certain case, it was their job to follow the law, whether they agree or not. Levy also stressed that everyone deserves “Equal Justice Under Law,” regardless of their education or background. This phrase is engraved behind the justices in the courtroom.
“The obvious message (in my opinion) is that the judicial process is not an abstract or elusive component of American politics. The justices showed their support for higher education, engaged students in meaningful conversation about issues of relevance and discussed the processes in which they reached decisions,” said political science senior Danielle Ryan.
After discussing and defining what judicial activism, independence, and their philosophies, the justices addressed the questions from students and members of the community.
“My favorite question was from a student who was concerned about the issue of diversity on the court. I think that was the real ‘elephant in the room,’ and I am glad the Justices had to respond to it. Given the demographics of California, one wonders if an all white (and mostly male) court can truly represent the interests of ‘the people,’” said Ault.
The event was a success, and also entertaining, especially one justice in particular who received a few laughs from the audience. Associate Justice Dennis A. Cornell jokingly put on his sunglasses in the middle of the forum when it came time to discuss his personal life.
“I thought it was a great event. It was a perfect opportunity for students, like myself, to see the justices come to Bakersfield. Their messages to students were very informative,” said senior Alisha Flores, who is currently serving as president of the pre-law club.