If you are regular reader of The New York Law Journal, you can't miss the ongoing battle regarding the Judiciary's salary increase demands. Yes, Judge's salaries in New York are in the 120k to 150k range, but for the last 30 years the salaries have always been lower than a majority of practicing attorneys.
So why does an attorney actually become a Judge knowing the limitations in compensation? There are a number of reasons which include prestige, making a difference, it's legally challenging, the hours are good, power, "I always wanted to be a Judge".....But you never hear someone saying I became a Judge to make "big bucks". Yes, judges are underpaid, so are cops, fire fighters, teachers and EMS workers. It is also true that judges are very restricted in other types of work they can engage in.
Look, like anything there are many, many dedicated and brilliant judges out there. There are also many who never tried a case and who won their seat on the bench by being part of the " political system".
Perhaps, judges should be compensated with " a merit bonus system"; Base salary plus merit bonuses for number of dispositions, number of cases tried, speed in deciding motions, their rating at year's end, etc...
This, I guarantee you would put more money in the Judge's paycheck, and would certainly increase the effort of the Judiary and the "quality of the bench".
What do you think?
No comments:
Post a Comment