One of the cornerstones of our system of government is a judicial and law enforcement system that is respected by the citizens.

Those in the legal system, whether it’s the newest police officer, a sheriff, a police chief, a district attorney, a municipal judge or a Supreme Court justice, all need to conduct themselves in a manner that justifies the public’s respect.

That doesn’t mean the public will agree with every law enforcement action or judicial ruling, but it does mean that, regardless of what action a police officer or judge may take, the public should respect those people because of their position and the manner in which they carry out their responsibilities.

Occasionally, an undisciplined rogue police officer or judge has misbehaved or broken the law; in such cases, they should be disciplined or removed from office.

However, absent any violation of the law, those in the judicial and law enforcement business should not be carrying out their responsibilities fearful of how the general public may react if they disagree with an action.

A Douglas County district judge faces a retention vote in Tuesday’s election, and a sizable number of county residents are urging voters to remove this judge from the bench. All Douglas County district judges face a retention vote every four years. Usually the vote whether to retain a district judge goes largely unnoticed, but this year, Judge Paula Martin is facing scrutiny because of the manner in which she handled the sentencing of several young men involved in a statutory rape case. A number of local residents believe the sentences in this case were too lenient and are urging voters to remove Martin from her post.

It is understandable that some may disagree with the judge in this case, just as it is a sure bet other individuals have been angry or disappointed with how other judges have dealt with other cases and sentencings. However, the sentences handed down in the rape case in question were within the parameters of the law. Although the judge knew full well not everyone would agree with her, she handed down sentences that were, in her judgment, the best, most appropriate way to handle the case.

Those who disagree with her now are taking out their anger by trying to remove her as a judge.

This reasoning or reaction may be understandable, but it is wrong. The retention vote process is intended to give voters the ability to remove appointed judges who have displayed a pattern of misconduct or incompetence, not to remove a judge who made an unpopular decision. The advantage of having judges appointed instead of elected is to shield them and their positions from the political pressures that can influence an election.

Martin did not violate any law, and it would be dangerous to our system of government to remove her from her post because a group of people is angry, frustrated or bitter about her handling of a case.

Judge Martin should be retained as judge of Douglas County District Court-Division 5.