AUGUST 14, 2013
Groups launch litigation clearinghouse aimed at keeping courts fair and impartial
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A coalition of groups concerned with fair and impartial courts launched a new website tracking litigation that could impact the fairness of our nation's court system. The groups, called the Fair Courts Litigation Task Force, include the American Judicature Society, the Brennan Center for Justice, Justice at Stake, the National Center for State Courts, and The Campaign Legal Center.
The website, www.faircourtslitigation.org, serves as a clearinghouse of litigation from across the U.S. that either challenges or supports ethical rules aimed at keeping our judiciary free from partisan politics and outside influences. These include the financing of judicial elections, judicial campaign conduct rules, merit selection of judges, and rules governing the recusal of judges from cases.
"This website will prove a valuable resource for all who care about the integrity of our judicial system," said Justice at Stake Acting Executive Director Liz Seaton. "Fair and impartial courts safeguard people’s rights and decide business cases that keep our economy moving forward, but we must be vigilant about protecting them. This tool exposes legal efforts to exert political pressure on the courts, complementing our work to alert the American public to alarmingly high levels of spending in judicial campaigns."
Justice at Stake is a nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign working to keep America’s courts fair and impartial. Justice at Stake and its 50-plus state and national partners educate the public, and work for reforms to keep politics and special interests out of the courtroom – so judges can protect our Constitution, our rights and the rule of law. For more about Justice at Stake, go to www.justiceatstake.org or www.gavelgrab.org.
