Press Releases
Independence & Accountability
Brennan Center, Justice at Stake Praise Tennessee Judicial Ethics Rules
The Tennessee Supreme Court this week adopted a new Code of Judicial Conduct to prohibit judges from hearing cases involving campaign supporters in which “the judge’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned.”
– 01/06/12
Brennan Center Endorses ABA Judicial Disqualification Resolution
The American Bar Association’s House of Delegates is expected to vote today on a resolution calling on states to adopt new rules for judicial disqualification. Brennan Center Senior Counsel Adam Skaggs released the following statement in support of the resolution.
– 08/08/11
2 Years After Landmark Ethics Case, Courts Lag on Campaign-Cash Rules
Nearly two years after the Supreme Court’s Caperton v. Massey ruling on the influence of special-interest cash in the courtroom, most states have failed to adopt any reforms responding to threats identified in the landmark decision, the Brennan Center for Justice and Justice at Stake Campaign said today.
– 06/06/11
Is Justice for Sale?
New York–Spending on state Supreme Court elections has more than doubled in the past decade, from $83.3 million in 1990-1999 to $206.9 million in 2000-2009, and deep-pocketed special interests play a dominant role in choosing state jurists, according to a report released today.
– 08/16/10
Supreme Court Reverses Decision in Caperton v. Massey
Major victory for the Rule of Law and Due Process with Supreme Court’s 5–4 vote.
– 06/08/09
Jurists, Business Leaders, Reform Groups Join “Justice for Sale” Case
High Court urged to require West Virginia judge’s recusal in suit involving campaign support.
– 01/06/09
Cert Granted in WV Coal Mine Case
Supreme Court to weigh in on money in the courtroom; grants cert in judicial elections case.
– 11/14/08
Buying Time—Spending Rockets Before Elections
Candidates, interest groups, and political parties combined to spend $19,861,269 on television advertisements in state Supreme Court elections nationwide this year, announced two national watchdog groups.
– 11/13/08
Buying Time—Michigan and Alabama Join Costly Wisconsin
Judicial campaign spending increases in these states.
– 10/30/08