Supreme Court (2) (West Virginia)
Menis E. Ketchum
Contact: (304) 525-9129
Website: www.menisketchum.com
| Name: | Menis E. Ketchum |
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| Party: | Democrat |
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| Home City: | Huntington |
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| Home County: | Cabell |
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Biography:
I received my Juris Doctorate from the WVU College of Law. For 40 years I have litigated various types of cases for the defense and plaintiff. I have tried more cases to jury verdict and advocated more WV Supreme Court appeals than all the other candidates combined.
Personal Statement:
- What changes, if any, would you like to see in the way judges are selected?
- Most campaign contributions to judicial candidates come from lawyers and big business interests that are likely to have cases before the court. This creates the appearance of a conflict of interest. That’s why I would like to see public financing of judicial campaigns in West Virginia.
- Do you believe that the current language in the Code of Judicial Conduct regarding contributions to judicial candidates' campaigns is adequate to insure impartiality on the bench? Please explain.
- It is not adequate. As long as we have a system that requires candidates to raise money from the very people they will see before the court, the appearance of a conflict of interest will exist. This is especially true when one source spends millions on behalf of a candidate.
- What standards regarding recusal would you recommend to avoid the appearance of judicial conflict of interest?
- The Justices should not decide if they should step aside on a case. An independent panel should be appointed to make this decision.
- How would you respond to the allegation that West Virginia is a hostile judicial climate to business?
- There is an appearance of hostility because our citizens cannot get their judicial appeals heard. Our Supreme Court will be “in vacation” 3 1/2 months this year. The Court should work full time and take a normal amount of vacation.
