Should Magistrates Be Attorneys?

[wuapinmon]

There's a bit of debate going on in the Palmetto State right now about whether or not magistrates should be attorneys. Current guidelines require appointees to hold a baccalaureate degree, pass a qualifying exam, and observe some trials in another court before presiding. I'm wondering what CUF thinks.

http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/09/12...s-debated.html

[doctorcoug]

I know very little about this subject, but I can relate to the situation of rural areas not being able to attract applicants. Also, in our tough economy, this will result in increased costs. Finally, I have fundamental issues when requiring people to attain certain levels of education to work in various capacities. For instance, I don't think we should require people to have medical licenses to practice medicine.

[Uncle Ted]

Sure as long as you can become an attorney without going to law school.

[Katy Lied]

I'm pretty sure you don't need a law degree to practice in CA. That's why Citrus Belt Law School exists.

[Moliere]

Regardless of their credentials, I will still believe in being subject to them.

[Katy Lied]

Regardless of their credentials, I will still believe in being subject to them.

Hard to be subject to attorneys. That's a long way down the totem pole.

[wuapinmon]

I know very little about this subject, but I can relate to the situation of rural areas not being able to attract applicants. Also, in our tough economy, this will result in increased costs. Finally, I have fundamental issues when requiring people to attain certain levels of education to work in various capacities. For instance, I don't think we should require people to have medical licenses to practice medicine.

Care to expound?

[Green Monstah]

Absolutely. Being a judge or a judicial clerk may be the only thing law school actually prepares law students to become. Without that base of knowledge, I think it's hard for a layperson to be a magistrate/justice of the peace effectively.

That being said, if there are no attorneys willing to be the magistrate/JP, I'm okay with a layperson filling in so long as they meet certain requirements.

[doctorcoug]

Care to expound?

I think the rural issue is obvious.

In terms of increased costs, recruiting higher qualified employees will always cost more.

In terms of medical license, government intervention increases the costs to provide services. Consumers will seek out providers that have the qualifications that they desire. Some people are perfectly happy seeing midlevel providers. Other patients will only see a board certified physician. The barrier to entry acts as a supply ceiling, which causes inefficiency.

My specialty is at greatest risk by removing this requirement, but I know I will stay busy because of the numbers of Americans that want a board certified doctor.

[wuapinmon]

I think the rural issue is obvious.

In terms of increased costs, recruiting higher qualified employees will always cost more.

In terms of medical license, government intervention increases the costs to provide services. Consumers will seek out providers that have the qualifications that they desire. Some people are perfectly happy seeing midlevel providers. Other patients will only see a board certified physician. The barrier to entry acts as a supply ceiling, which causes inefficiency.

My specialty is at greatest risk by removing this requirement, but I know I will stay busy because of the numbers of Americans that want a board certified doctor.

Isn't this what's already happening with LPNs? I mean, if I have a rash or a minor cut, I don't see why an LPN and a pharmacist couldn't work together to get me something to help me that won't interact with what I'm already taking. If the rash worsens, then I go see you. Are you saying that there should be minimal licensing to practice medicine, or that people with more education RN, LPN, etc. should get more medical privileges?

[falafel]

Isn't this what's already happening with LPNs? I mean, if I have a rash or a minor cut, I don't see why an LPN and a pharmacist couldn't work together to get me something to help me that won't interact with what I'm already taking. If the rash worsens, then I go see you. Are you saying that there should be minimal licensing to practice medicine, or that people with more education RN, LPN, etc. should get more medical privileges?

Are you seriously okay with seeing an LPN and getting a prescription? An LPN? I would barely trust an LPN to change my bed pan.

[wuapinmon]

Are you seriously okay with seeing an LPN and getting a prescription? An LPN? I would barely trust an LPN to change my bed pan.

Crap, no. I meant nurse practitioner. Thanks.

[Green Monstah]

Crap, no. I meant nurse practitioner. Thanks.

Nurse practicioners do write scripts, don't they? If not, the NP at my former Dr.'s office has a lot of explaining to do.

[wuapinmon]

Nurse practicioners do write scripts, don't they? If not, the NP at my former Dr.'s office has a lot of explaining to do.

Yes, but I think he means on a less-reviewed scale.

[doctorcoug]

I don't think it should be state regulated. If an LPN wanted to take on the responsibility of managing diabetes, then so be it. Some bonehead out there would go there instead of a doctor because they can afford it. At least they get something.

A private sector regulating body would emerge that might actually solve some of our physician errors, since their reputation is on the line, as opposed to the great state of Utah. Patients will gravitate to those doctors/providers

Hopefully something like this might push us away from third party payers as we get cheaper care. This might then solve some of our primary care issues, which just don't follow simple open market economic principles (the highest in demand aren't paid the most, currently).