Justice Groups Support Judicial Campaign Proposal
The New York Law Journal by Joel Stashenko - March 21, 2011
The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law and the Justice at Stake Campaign have collaborated on comments supporting Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman's proposal to ban a judge from hearing a case involving a lawyer or litigant who donated $2,500 or more to the judge's campaign. "The public response to the ever-escalating price tags associated with running for judicial office—in New York and other states—has been a perception that sometimes justice is for sale to the highest bidder," Bert Brandenburg, Justice at Stake executive director, and Adam Skaggs, Brennan Center counsel, wrote to Judge Lippman. The chief judge said the proposed rule is needed to remove the public perception that judges are in a position to preside over cases involving lawyers and litigants who are also major campaign contributors (NYLJ, Feb. 14). The courts have established an e-mail address to accept comments (rulecomments@nycourts.gov).
The New York Law Journal by Joel Stashenko - March 21, 2011
The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law and the Justice at Stake Campaign have collaborated on comments supporting Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman's proposal to ban a judge from hearing a case involving a lawyer or litigant who donated $2,500 or more to the judge's campaign. "The public response to the ever-escalating price tags associated with running for judicial office—in New York and other states—has been a perception that sometimes justice is for sale to the highest bidder," Bert Brandenburg, Justice at Stake executive director, and Adam Skaggs, Brennan Center counsel, wrote to Judge Lippman. The chief judge said the proposed rule is needed to remove the public perception that judges are in a position to preside over cases involving lawyers and litigants who are also major campaign contributors (NYLJ, Feb. 14). The courts have established an e-mail address to accept comments (rulecomments@nycourts.gov).
Office of Court Administration counsel John McConnell said that only a handful of comments have been received so far. The comment period ends April 29. However, the Brennan Center and Justice at Stake urged Judge Lippman to make two changes in the rule. They recommended that some limitations be placed on the donations that third parties can make to campaigns, noting that the proposed rule applies only to direct campaign contributions. They said they also favored a mechanism to prohibit "judge shopping" whereby litigants try to disqualify certain judges by making contributions to their campaigns above the $2,500 limit. Justice at Stake is a nonpartisan nationwide group founded to educate the public and support reforms to keep politics and special interests out of the courtroom, according to its website.
LETTER TO LIPPMAN TO BE POSTED MONDAY
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5 comments:
New York's Chief Wolf, Jonathan Lippman. I love it. Perfect description.
Gee, I contacted the Brennan Center with specific information specific information which had been researched and documented, about improper, unauthorized and as I alleged, illegal practices in the OCA.
Their answer? Well, I'm still waiting. It seems to have gone into that black hole where all other problems go.
Poor Justice Brennan is spinning in his grave to see what they have done to his good name.
Were The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law and the Justice at Stake Campaign just born yesterday? Every public act by Lippman and OCA is corrupt.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
"I object!" Justice is NOT FOR SALE! However, it has been known to be FOR RENT! And that's one of the reasons that lawyers will spent big bucks to become Judges, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY HONEY AND DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU DIFFERENT!
I contacted the Brennan Center of Justice with unimpeachible documentary evidence of judicial corruption months ago and I am still waiting like commenter 11:46AM above. My info must have gone into the same black hole.
BTW, when will the federal indictments in Westchester ("Westchester Braces for Onslaught of Federal Corruption Indictments") come down. Been waiting for more info since October 29, 2009. Any news on that?
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