Description

Many believe judges, especially federal judges, are just too powerful. And on top of that, there is concern that judges seem to be accountable to no one when they go off the rails. This class will illustrate how judicial discipline and accountability systems function to constrain abuses of power while also preserving the integrity, independence, and public trust of the courts. Ethical standards governing judges, the mechanisms used to investigate and address misconduct, and the range of possible sanctions will be discussed. Come explore the balance between holding judges accountable and protecting judicial independence. Recent case studies will be used to illustrate how these disciplinary systems operate in practice, and sometimes fail to achieve their goals.