LWVUS Study of the Federal Judiciary – Accountability, Transparency, Independence and Ethics.
When LWV advocates on an issue, it is based on a position which was developed and approved following a study of the issue. Because LWV does not have a current position on the Federal Judiciary, delegates at the LWVUS National Convention approved conducting such a study. As a grassroots organization, it is anticipated that League members at all levels will participate and provide input. To that end, LWVUS has developed materials to be distributed by February 7 and a procedure with completion by April 14. (Technology facilitates distribution of information and opportunities for feedback.)
LWVSC is forming a committee and a procedure to participate in the study. If you are interested in being part of this important study, contact Laurie Carley at modestocarley [at] sbcglobal.net.
LWVUS Federal Judiciary Study
Scope
To develop a LWV position on the Federal Judiciary as an essential component of US democracy.
The study's purpose includes, but is not limited to, addressing concerns and clarifying judicial
accountability, transparency, independence, and ethics.
The scope addresses the Supreme Court as well as the other Article III federal courts.
Policy Briefs
The Federal Judiciary Study Committee has prepared a series of briefs on particular, specific topics
designed to help spark discussion among League members as we work toward a LWVUS position on the
federal judiciary. By providing information on these very specific topics, our intention is to help develop
a long-lasting position based on the principles of judicial independence, transparency, accountability,
and ethics (and possibly others). Our goal is a position that outlines the values – the standards and
norms – the League of Women Voters should use in evaluating proposed changes to policies, laws, and
regulations about the federal judiciary.
We hope League members find these briefs useful to read and promote discussion in order to discuss
then what principles we want the League of Women Voters to use when acting on these issues and on
whatever other issues arise in the future.
Remember that as much as we all may want to address specific remedies in our US position, the position
should be principle-based in order to ensure that it lasts for many years to come and allows us to
address a wide variety of issues that may arise in future years. Our goal is for the resulting League
position to be durable. Consider how many of the League’s positions were adopted decades ago and are
as useful today as they were at their inception. If we write a position that applies to specific policy issues
we know about and that are part of the current debate, it can limit action on other future issues.
See the link below for the LWVC page on this study and to locate the policy briefs that are currently
posted.
