NORWICH – The Friends of Joe McBride for Chenango County Court Judge announced today that the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission has rated Joe McBride as qualified for election as Judge of the Chenango County, Family and Surrogate’s Court.

The Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions are independent panels established to screen judicial candidates. The rules of New York State’s Chief Administrative Judge establishing the Commissions provides that “Voters will have greater confidence in the judicial election process if they know the judicial candidates were screened by independent screening panels and found to possess the qualities necessary for effective judicial performance.” The guide Electing Judges in New York State: You Can Be An Informed Voter notes that the purpose of the Commissions is “… to rate the candidates in order to help voters make more informed choices about the individuals running for judge in New York State’s trial courts.”

The rating process requires an applicant to respond to a detailed questionnaire regarding professional ability, work ethic, character, independence, decisiveness, fairness, integrity, case disposition, skills, temperament, respect for litigants and attorneys, legal experience, and scholarship. Specifically, the application requires an applicant to answer a variety of questions including those pertaining to legal employment history, educational background, bar association membership, community activities, legal teaching experience, and prior public service. An applicant must also disclose among other things criminal convictions, personal litigation history including any findings of malpractice and defaults of any orders and orders of protection unsatisfied judgments, tax warrants, tax liens or mechanics liens entered against them and bankruptcy petitions filed by them. The application also inquires whether the candidate is capable of handling emergency applications, cope with media scrutiny, issue quick decisions, and deal with fractious litigants. The applicant must also attach a statement regarding the numbers and types of trials conducted in the past ten years, including those tried before a jury and submit a release allowing the concerned Commission to access records filed with the attorney Grievance Committee and Commission on Judicial Conduct. A list of references and opposing counsel and a writing sample must also be provided.

After receiving a candidate’s application, the concerned Commission conducts an investigation into the background and qualifications of the candidate. The evaluation process culminates in a personal interview by the concerned Commission with the candidate.

McBride voluntarily submitted his application to the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Sixth Judicial District and completed his personal interview last week. Upon receiving notification of his qualified rating by the Commission, McBride said, “The Commission’s application process is exacting and thorough. I take great pride in receiving the rating that I am qualified for election as the Chenango County Court Judge. I want to thank the Commission for their effort and their dedication to ensure the quality of the judiciary.”

McBride has served as the Chenango County District Attorney for the past thirteen years. McBride is Chenango County’s first full time District Attorney. Prior to that service, he had a successful private practice which included practice before the Family Court and Surrogate’s Court. McBride is running for the Chenango County Court Judge position and will be on the Republican, Conservative, and Independence lines in the upcoming Sept. 13 primaries.

More information about the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commissions is available at www.nycourts.gov/ad3 and www.ny-ijeqc.org.