Maui Judge Raffetto Named 2011 Jurist of the Year

By Wendy Osher

Hoapili Hale, Maui court building. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Second Circuit Chief Judge Shackley Raffetto was named the Hawaii State Judiciary’s 2011 Jurist of the Year.

Raffetto has served as a circuit judge since 1994, and as a chief justice since 2000.  He is also the presiding drug court judge and was the chair of the Committee on Jury Innovations for the 21st Century.

He will be honored by the Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald at an employee awards ceremony at Hoapili Hale on Monday, October 17.

The award recognizes a full-time trial judge for exceptional judicial competence evidenced by decisional quality, significant extra-judicial contributions to the administration of justice, and active participation in public service to the community at large.

He received the Defense Security Cooperation Agency Director’s Award for developing a unique court observer program.  Under the program, Judge Raffetto opened his home and his courtroom to distinguished jurists from Russia, Mongolia, and Thailand, allowing them to observe the US justice system at work.

Raffetto was selected for the award by Chief Justice Recktenwald.

In addition to the Jurist of the Year honor, the courts will also issue meritorious and years of service awards to court employees during the ceremony.

*** Check back on Monday for exclusive coverage on MauiNow.com.