The ABA website relies on JavaScript for display purposes.
To fully experience the ABA site, please enable javascript.
Independence
of the Judiciary The ABA created the Standing
Committee on Judicial Independence in 1997 to promote public awareness
about the values of an independent, accountable and efficient judiciary
and to assist in responding to unwarranted criticism. The committee has
a particular focus on state and local judiciaries. It has cosponsored
a model plan on how to respond to criticism of judges that has been distributed
to state and local bar associations across the country, and is developing
a comprehensive model of public awareness activities. The Standing Committee
is also addressing judicial selection issues and developing Standards
on Judicial Selection. Reporters interested in
legal expert referrals relating to this issue should contact ABA Division
for Media Relations & Communication Services at 312/988-6171. Statement
of Alfred P. Carlton Jr., President, American Bar Association, on
North Carolina House of Representatives of Bill Authorizing Public Finance
of Judicial Elections and Nonpartisan Appellate Court Elections According to the poll
conducted by Harris Interactivesm, 72 percent of Americans are concerned
that the impartiality of judges is compromised by their need to raise
campaign money. Thirty-five percent of the respondents said they were
"extremely" or "very" concerned. ABA Commission
on the 21st Century Judiciary August 13, 2002 - American Bar Association Launches Campaign on Behalf of a Fair and Impartial Judiciary Alfred P. Carlton Jr., president of the American Bar Association, is convening a national colloquium on judicial independence March 14 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Participants will include judges, lawmakers, bar leaders, business and civic leaders, academics and others working to promote fair and impartial state judiciaries. Those present will have an opportunity to help shape ABA policy on issues central to the independence of state courts such as: the changing role of the judge in American society; the role of the public in selecting and retaining judges; and the appropriate balance between judicial independence and accountability to the public. ABA Standing Committee
on Judicial Independence Commission on Public
Financing of Judicial Campaigns ABA Forums on Judicial
Selection and Campaign Finance Reform: Opinion Editorials 5/01/01 Preserving
the Rule of Law Through Judicial Independence: A Law Day Challenge 03/07/00
Separation of Powers Essential for California and the Nation 9/9/99 Individual
States Tackle Issues Of Judicial Independence, As ABA Offers Support 11/5/98 State,
Local, And Territorial Bar Associations Urged To Adopt Plan To Defend
Judges Subjected To Unfair Criticism 7/22/98
Judge-Bashing Appears To Be Popular Sport Among Some, But Endangers An
Essential Component Of American Justice 3/17/98
Judges Should Be Selected, Not Elected 2/17/98 ABA
Urges State and Local Bar Association to Support Judges Against Unjust
Criticism 12/8/97
Judicial Independence Integral To Maintaining The Rule Of Law Despite
Outside Pressures And Glaring Spotlight News Releases 03/28/03 - ABA Commission Warns: State Court Systems at Risk 7/23/01 - ABA Group Urges Public Financing of Judicial Campaigns, Cites Growing Public Cynicism About Courts 8/16/00 - American Bar Association House of Delegates Approves Standards for State Judicial Selection 8/10/00 - Howard Baker and Abner Mikva to Lead ABA Study of Public Financing of Judicial Elections 8/24/99 – ABA
Changes Model Judicial Ethics Rules to Reform Election Campaign Funding 1/28/99 – ABA
Standing Committee on Judicial Independence Distributes Video to Aid State,
Local, and Territorial Additional Resources ABA Legislative and Governmental Priorities – Independence of the Judiciary:
|