Chief Justice Frank J. Williams: I am accountable

Published Mar 28 2008, 03:34 PM by Ian Donnis

Frank J. Williams, chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, who wields enormous power and has a lifetime appointment, maintains that sufficient measures are in place to hold him accountable. He made the statement during a taping this morning of WPRI/WNAC-TV's Newsmakers.

I noted that electing judges, as is the case in some other states, seems like a flawed process, but that two of the most powerful men in state government -- House Speaker William J. Murphy and Senate President Joseph Montalbano -- face election in their districts every two years. So is there a sufficient counterpoint to his authority, I wondered.

Williams responded by agreeing that electing judges is a bad concept, since it injects fundraising into the process. He said the current setup, such as the opportunity for complaints to be examined by the Rhode Island Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline, is adequate and that he is held accountable.

Of course, it was adverse publicity that led Williams a few years ago to scrap his personal Web site, which had promoted his availability for speaking engagements and listed a court employee as his point of contact.

Asked about the controversial and costly bird sounds at the Kent County Courthouse, the chief justice said he would have preferred to seen the money spent on technology or security. In calling the courts a small part of the state budget, he defended plans for an eventual $71 million Blackstone Valley courthouse and the opposition of judges to pension cuts.

Williams said he would like to see more court interpreters, rather than fewer. While newcomers to the US should learn English, democracy is diminished, he said, when the access to the courts of recent immigrants is hindered by a lack of interpreters.

Filed Under: Budget, Legal issues

"Lovecraft Rising" this weekend in Providence

Carcieri thinks Head Start is a waste of money

Follow the Providence Phoenix

All Blogs

Laser Orgy (34)
Phlog (1,420)
On The Download (2,163)
Dont Quote Me (518)
Talking Politics (1,523)
Outside The Frame (305)

Filed Under: Budget, Legal issues

Boston Phoenix
For Carcieri, A Rare Victory
Published 10/6/2009 by David Scharfenberg
Perpetually at odds with the Democratic legislature and pushing further and further into his lame-duck period, Governor Carcieri rarely has an opportunity to claim a high-profile...

Boston Phoenix
You'll Be Sorry: After the Zoo-Animal Euth Scare, Six More Revised Budget-Impact Statements
Published 7/13/2009 by David S. Bernstein
NEWS ITEM: The operators of the Franklin Park Zoo, who last week warned that some animals might have to be destroyed if state lawmakers don't...

more by Ian Donnis

Rhody's local food movement finds its groove | February 18, 2009

My last post (as Not for Nothing) | February 12, 2009

Tomorrow: Pulitzer finalist Dray at the Athenaeum | February 12, 2009

Ticket to ride | February 11, 2009

Health-care's big moneyman in New England . . . | February 11, 2009

See all articles by: Ian Donnis

Latest Comments

The Guitar Hero/Band Hero kerfuffle considered - Christian Louboutin shoes are available at attractive rates in all outlets across the world. Turn your...

By Gucci Sneakers on 11-28-2009 in Laser Orgy

Khazei Sneaking Up? - Mrs. Kennedy, why wouldn't you prefer Congressman Capuano to succeed the late Senator? Congressman Capuano...

By Ernie Boch, III on 11-27-2009 in Talking Politics

City Council Forums - сын насилует маму всегда на это дрочу!! http://pxgmyzzcug.jimdo.com анорексия фото http://vmpfpxkwxl...

By Homogon on 11-27-2009 in Talking Politics

City Council Forums - <b>GPS оборудование </b> GPS - глобальная система позиционирования, определение местоположения...

By BimaIdedirm on 11-27-2009 in Talking Politics

Climategate: It's not going away. - Congratulations. Way better coverage than The Boston Globe or The New York Times.

By Randy Moss on 11-27-2009 in Laser Orgy

Latest Comments from Not For Nothing

Chief Justice Frank J. Williams: I am accountable

Leave a Comment