ACTIVIST JUDGES

The Charge

The Christian Science Monitor offers a fine introduction to the instant case in its April 13 article, Bringing the Case Against Judges.


The Prosecutors

Judeo-Christian Council for Constitutional Restoration

Court Watch, affiliated with the Eagle Forum

Judicial Amendment Coalition

National Resources Defense Council

Law Enforcement Alliance of America


Amici curiae for the defendant

Coalition for a Fair and Independent Judiciary, a partnership of People for the American Way, the Leadership Council for Civil Rights, Alliance for Justice, the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL), and the Communications Consortium Media Center.

Statement from the president of the American Bar Association

An Independent Judiciary: Report of the Commission on Separation of Powers and Judicial Independence (1997), American Bar Association


The Defense

I've known a few judges. Some were liberal; some were conservative. Regardless of their political persuasion, all enjoyed holding court, both literally and figuratively. Consequently, I predict the judicial community will not suffer in relative silence for too much longer before reaching out and taking some mighty slaps at those who have been abusing them so sorely. Here's one:

Letter to the NY Times editor from the president of the National Association of Women Judges (source: American Judges Association)


Sidebars

On the definitions of activism and an analysis of the Rehnquist Court: A Hand in the Matter, by Cass Sunstein in Legal Affairs

A calm consideration of judicial activism, including decisions that may look activist but are not, and decisions that don't appear to be activist, but are: On Judicial Activism: Judges and the Constitution Today, by Judge Diarmuid F. O'Scannlain, in Open Spaces Quarterly

Point and counterpoint re: conservative judicial activism, from the Federalist Society


Sentencing proposals

Constitution Restoration Act (proposed)

Judicial Accountability Amendment (being petitioned)