More than a year after the bitter impeachment trial of its Chief Justice, the New Hampshire Supreme Court has signaled that it?s ready to mend fences with the state legislature. In a speech to the state Bar today, Associate Justice John Broderick said it?s time to ?let yesterday go.? NHPR?s Trish Anderton reports.
EVEN AFTER THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE VOTED TO CLEAR CHIEF JUSTICE DAVID BROCK OF ALL CHARGES OF IMPROPRIETY, RELATIONS BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE COURT REMAINED STRAINED. THE TWO SIDES HAVE SPARRED OVER SEVERAL ISSUES INCLUDING JUDICIAL REFORM. BRODERICK SAID THE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT. BUT HE ADDED IT?S TIME TO MOVE ON.
The time for anger and anguish is over. The time for building and rebuilding is here.
BRODERICK ADDED THAT MEMBERS OF THE COURT MET WITH THE GOVERNOR, THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT LAST MONTH. HE SAID HE HOPED THAT WOULD BE THE BEGINNING OF AN ONGOING DIALOG.
It was a wonderful session, very relaxed and very informal. And I want to thank them for accepting our invitation //we look forward to meeting again, either at their house or ours.
BRODERICK SINGLED OUT OTHER MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR PRAISE, WITH A WARMTH THAT WAS ABSENT FROM HIS LAST SPEECH. IN THAT ADDRESS LAST SPRING, THE ASSOCIATE JUSTICE ATTACKED THE COURT?S CRITICS AND CALLED ON LAWYERS TO DEFEND THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY. MANCHESTER DEMOCRAT JAMES CRAIG IS A LAWYER AND A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, WHICH CONDUCTED THE IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION. CRAIG SAID SOME HOUSE MEMBERS WILL NEVER WARM UP TO THE COURT, BUT OTHERS WILL WECOME BRODERICK?S GESTURE.
There are people who have been waiting for something like that, and to those people it?s a good start. And I think a lot of people will respond favorably.
BUT THERE MAY NOT BE SMOOTH SAILING AHEAD JUST YET. AT THE SAME MEETING, THE HEAD OF NEW HAMPSHIRE?S DISTRICT COURTS SAID COURTHOUSES WOULD SHUT DOWN IN MARCH UNLESS THE LEGISLATURE GIVES THEM MORE MONEY FOR SECURITY. FOR NHPR NEWS I?M
