Judging in a Politicized America

Waymaker

Courts & Judiciary

Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby

By Judge John E. Sparks and Nan Mooney

Raised during the height of the civil rights movement, Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby has dedicated her time and energy to increasing access to justice and equal justice under law for all who appear before our nation’s courts.

Features

Courts & Judiciary

Courts and the 2020 Elections: Partisans for Truth and the Rule of Law

By Scott Bales

In a time of increasing partisanship and the use of disinformation to undermine trust in government and other institutions, we must work to strengthen our courts.

Courts & Judiciary

Observations from the Frontlines

By Mark Aronchick

During the 2020 presidential election, Pennsylvania was a battleground state. Aronchick credits the numerous federal and state court judges as those who resolved the political challenges by applying the rule of law.

Government

Judicial Campaign Education and Enforcement: Ohio’s Quarter Century of Experience

By Richard A. Dove

Ohio traditionally has employed a unique system of electing judges with provisions regulating the conduct of the state’s judicial elections. These have endured as judicial races and have become increasingly politicized.

Ethics

Taking Fire from Many Directions: The Threats to Judicial Independence Are Myriad and Multiplying

By Judge Benes Z. Aldana (Ret.)

Hyper politicization poses serious threats to judicial independence. Judges face increasing pressure to decide cases in ways that will placate voters, donors, legislators, political leaders, or, for federal administrative judges, their employers.

Courts & Judiciary

When All That Twitters Is Not Told: Ethical Risks in Judicial Use of Social Media

By John G. Browning

Twitter and other social media platforms can be vital tools for judges in being good “digital citizens” who are accessible to the communities they serve. But misuse of social media can present serious ethical risks for judges.

Government

Judicial Selection in the United States: An Overview

By Jacob E. Tuskai

To address the question of what is the best method of judicial selection, Tuskai provides an overview of the various judicial selection methods in the U.S. and summarizes five such methods, some of their history, as well as their pros and cons.

Technology Column

Courts & Judiciary

The Court Has Been Hacked!

By Judge Herbert B. Dixon Jr. (Ret.)

In this Technology column, Judge Dixon conjures up a worst-case scenario of numerous courthouse operations coming to a halt due to a major cybersecurity event.

Ethics Column

Ethics

Political Activity Inconsistent with the Impartiality of the Judiciary

By Marla N. Greenstein

Because judicial authority rests in the public’s acceptance of well-reasoned impartial decision-making, judges’ political speech and activity can threaten trust in the impartiality of the judiciary.

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Judging in a Politicized America