NEW YORK, NY January 17, 2008 —REPORTER: Critics of New York's system of electing trial judges say they're going to focus on changing the state's constitution.

This, following the Supreme Court's ruling that the system is constitutional.

Dirk Olin, of the Institute for Judicial Studies, says the current system encourages judicial candidates to cozy up to lawyers and politicians.

OLIN: If they're out there making campaign promises or even appearing to make campaign promises, much less receiving donations from those who are going to practice before them, that is, lawyers - it's understandable if voters have no idea who they're voting for and don't trust whoever gets into office.

REPORTER: Justice Scalia wrote that party conventions and smoke-filled rooms are an historically accepted way of selecting candidates.

New York's Bar Association and the city say they'll lobby Albany to reform the system through legislation.