A ballot measure with the intent to hold Arizona's judicial system accountable is receiving support from former county attorney Andrew Thomas, who was disbarred in April on ethics allegations.
Proposition 115 would alter the way in which judges are selected for nomination and require judges' written opinions to be available on the judiciary website.
The proposition passed the legislature and will be on the November 2012 ballot.
Thomas said the measure would decrease insider influence and politicking in the process of selecting judges.
"The old adage power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely can be seen today in our courts," Thomas said. "Judges have absolute power and are not held accountable for their actions. This must change."
He said he advocated for similar reforms before he was disbarred.
Thomas held a press conference Thursday with members of Citizens for Clean Courts, the committee that collected signatures in support of the measure.
Members Patti Gomes, Clair DiPardo, Dennis Ball and Gayme Nason were in attendance. Gomes and DiPardo, Scottsdale residents, described their experiences with the Maricopa County Probate Court.
Gomes said she experienced trouble with the courts after struggling to become her mother's guardian and conservator.
She said the process was long and expensive even to the point that her mother's estate was still being charged six months after her mother passed away.
Gomes said the committee sought to launch a "probate corruption awareness campaign" in response to stories such as hers.
"The people of Arizona need to know how that court failed my mother (and) failed so many others," Gomes said.
She said justice and liberty needs to be restored to Arizona citizens.
"I don't know how it shifted from ‘We the people’ to ‘We the judges,’" Gomes said. "We need to shift it back."
DiPardo told a similar story in which her mother's estate was depleted and health jeopardized under probate court protection.
A Girl Scout leader and volunteer at her children's school, DiPardo said she is a "deeply patriotic" person who has always tried to do what is right.
"(I) believe those in positions of authority in our government should be held to that same sense of morality," DiPardo said.
She said Thomas has also been a victim of Arizona judges.
Thomas said he was disbarred because he "got too close to the truth."
He said his experience with Arizona courts is similar to that of the committee members of Citizens for Clean Courts.
"I come here to reform this system and work with true victims," Thomas said. "It's high time the people of the state take back their government and start holding these judges accountable."
Law professor Myles Lynk said Thomas' allegations against the courts were unclear and surprising.
He said though Arizona has a good court system, there's always room for improvement.
"There's no evidence now that the (judicial) system is broken," Lynk said. "If this new initiative will tweak it to improve it, that's a good thing."
Reach the reporter at dgrobmei@asu.edu
