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Judicial Independence and Selection |
In the American system of justice, judges are expected to perform their role apart from the "political thicket," free of political pressure and indifferent to public opinion. Yet today, in most states, this basic requisite of independent and impartial administration of the rule of law is imperiled. Where judges hold or retain office by election, the independence of the judiciary is at risk.
An alarming number of judicial elections have become politically charged and divisive contests, characterized by increasingly large campaign expenditures and interest group electioneering. This rising flow of campaign contributions into judicial elections is severely damaging our judicial system. The experience of recent elections and the prospects ahead demonstrate the urgent need for fundamental reform.
"This crisis of confidence in the judiciary is real and growing. Left unaddressed, the perception that justice is for sale will undermine the rule of law that the courts are supposed to uphold."
- Sandra Day O'Connor, Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice |
What's NewCommentary Tuesday, November 1, 2011 CED Trustee Landon Rowland on the Dylan Ratigan Show CED Trustee Landon Rowland appeared as a guest on the Dylan Ratigan Show to discuss the corrupting influences of money in the election of judges.... read moreMonday, February 28, 2011 Jukebox Justice: American Judges for Sale By Charles Kolb for the Huffington Post
Can American state judges be bought, legally? The answer to that question is not entirely clear. The fact that... read moreWednesday, November 3, 2010 Business Needs a Fair and Impartial Judiciary By Rod Hills for the Huffington Post
In recent years there have been repeated efforts that threaten the independence of our state judiciary systems. Groups in... read moreReports Tuesday, September 27, 2011 CED Releases Three Reports on Reducing the Money in Politics Three CED sister reports outline the major effects of Citizens United on the private sector and urge meaningful voluntary corporate action to resist the "pay... read moreFriday, August 9, 2002 Justice for Hire
Improving Judicial Selection (2002)
As modern campaign techniques increase the costs of judicial elections, sitting judges and judicial candidates are soliciting contributions in larger amounts than... read moreEvents Tuesday, February 22, 2011 N.C. Voters: Campaign Contributions Influence Court Rulings RALEIGH – An overwhelming majority of North Carolina voters say campaign contributions to judicial candidates can influence the outcome of court cases, according to a... read moreThursday, September 30, 2010 The New Politics of Judicial Elections
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
Justice at Stake and CED hosted a discussion on the newly released Justice at Stake report The New Politics of Judicial Elections... read moreWednesday, September 8, 2010 Iowa Merit Selection Forum with former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor CED, in partnership with Iowans for Fair and Impartial Courts hosted a forum in Des Moines to discuss the importance of maintaining Iowa’s judicial merit... read moreNews Wednesday, October 6, 2010 The Perils Of Big Money In Judicial Elections By Eliza Newlin Carney for the National Journal
Some look at the skyrocketing cost of judicial elections, which one recent report pegs at more than 0... read moreMonday, March 8, 2010 Voters want candidates to use taxpayer money in W.Va., poll shows By John O'Brien for LegalNewsline.com
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A recent poll shows that a majority of West Virginia voters support public financing of state... read moreMonday, March 8, 2010 Public financing of court races gains strength By Mannix Porterfield for the Register-Herald
CHARLESTON — Using tax dollars to finance races for the West Virginia Supreme Court is preferable to candidates raking in... read more |
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