Justice hopefuls on the role of a judge…

Each of the candidates for Idaho Supreme Court was asked how they see the job of being a judge, as they seek a seat on the state’s highest court; here are their answers:

Robyn Brody: “It’s the trial court’s job to make a decision, and it’s the appellate court’s job to get it right. I think you’ve got to take the time, you’ve got to think about it, deliberate, consider it.”

Sergio Gutierrez: “The trial judge is one who’s flying the spacecraft out into the universe beyond our world here, and having to maintain all those controls. As a trial judge, you’re having to act on the spot, make decisions. The appellate judge really is more like a surgeon,” who has to be “very careful and disciplined” in applying the law.

Curt McKenzie: “The role of the court is to fairly and impartially apply the law. … The trial judge has a dual role, both fact-finder and applying the law to that. At the appellate level … your role is to apply the law as it’s written to that fact matter.”

Clive Strong: “I would agree that the appellate court’s role is to apply the law to the facts that are before you. But I think it’s important to recognize” that appellate courts are also “creating precedent for the future. So it’s important that as the court issues its decision it … doesn’t create unintended consequences, but does provide guidance for the future.”