Inky had an interesting story about becoming a judge on Philly’s Traffic Court. Essentially, you need to whore yourself out to the political powers that be, then hope for the best. That’s all, since there aren’t actually any qualifications (this could change in the future).
The story spends a lot of time on how Traffic Court Administrative Judge Michael J. Sullivan was replaced recently by Court of Common Pleas Judge Gary S. Glazer, since Sullivan is suspected of being a corrupt disgrace to the bench (who isn’t?).
The lone judge elected last year, Christine Solomon, initially failed a “judicial education course” and couldn’t join the court right away (she passed on her second try).
Let’s not even get into Willie Singletary, who was woefully unqualified, promised he would be corrupt during his campaign, was elected anyway in 2007, then resigned after showing a picture of his penis to a court worker.
Curiously, the story never mentions that judge Robert Mulgrew’s home was raided by the FBI in 2010 as part of an investigation into state Rep. Bill Keller. Wonder why?
Other point of interest– the court controls 115 patronage jobs.
