The reader should note in regards to the manner of selection in the system of judges, that it might not have been a total democracy. Here in Alma 4:16 we find that Alma "selected a wise man who was among the elders of the church." While it says that Alma "gave him power according to the voice of the people, that he might have power to enact laws . . . and to put them in force according to the wickedness and the crimes of the people"; nonetheless, it was Alma who limited the choice of the people in regards to their new chief judge. According to Michael Hobby, this was to preserve Nephite rule. [See Michael Hobby, The Mulekite Connection, pp. 33-34] [See the commentary on Mosiah 29:39; Helaman 1:13]
Alma 4:17, 20 He [Nephihah] was appointed chief judge (Nephite Chief Priests) [[Illustration]]: Nephite Chief Priests. Adapted from [John W. Welch and Morgan A. Ashton, "Charting the Book of Mormon," Packet 1, F.A.R.M.S., 1997]