EDITOR’S COLUMN
I have been getting notices for a virtual town hall on “judicial independence” from San Bernardino Superior Court, and I didn’t feel like I fully understood what that meant, so I called Superior Judge John Pacheco, who will moderate the event.
He said, though I paraphrase, that the framework of our nation, with separate branches of government duty bound to check and balance one another, must be neither ignored nor forgotten.
“The general public doesn’t understand how precious our system of government and democracy is,” he said. “We’re trying to educate them.”
Political party should not be a factor when it comes to justice, and the executive and judicial branches must remain distinct, he said. “This is the way it’s been since our founders created our country. And it’s worked.
“What’s going on with our world, they’re trying to modify the different branches, trying to make two into one,” he said. “You see it happening all over. Right away they go, ‘Is this bench officer a Democrat or a Republican?’ Then they start taking their pot shots.”
There has been a whirlwind of discussion and emotion over a local judge recently, which Pacheco mentioned as part of the inspiration for this town hall.
People have made accusations about her through media outlets and digital platforms. Their assertions have swelled into an outcry for her removal. Per the standards of judicial ethics, she has made no public response, but individuals and organizations in the legal community have done so on her behalf.
Pacheco says this situation shone a light on the need for education about the role of the courts, ethics, and judicial independence in general.
He said there’s value in education about what our country was founded on, and why, especially for people working to walk back the authority of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
“There’s a lot of danger that can happen,” he said. “Your amendments, your right to a jury trial, all these things are critical to give people a voice.”
Presiding Judge Glenn Yabuno will give opening remarks. Pacheco’s co-moderators will be Judge Khymberli S. Apaloo and Judge Winston Keh.
Lawyer and Assemblymember Eloise Gomez-Reyes will talk about the division of the judicial and legislative branches. She will be on a panel with Yolo Superior Judge David Rosenberg and San Joaquin Superior Judge Barbara Kronlund.
Registration is required. You can do so here.
Pacheco asked if I will attend, and I confirmed I had registered early. He encouraged me to submit questions. He is eager to know and address what people are interested in.
This is one of my favorite subjects: the creation of our country, the people, the vision and the execution. My biggest question is, Can it be a longer event, please?
The town hall will be by remote attendance April 13 at noon, and is open to the public. Questions are currently being accepted by email to townhall@sb-court.org.
