Minnesotans for Impartial Courts

There is an editorial in today’s Wall Street Journal about the influence of money in our courts. “Certain American values transcend partisan divisions. One is that money should not influence the courts. But with record sums pouring into judicial elections, the ideal of due process is giving way to a perception of pay-to-play justice.”

“Wisconsin Justice Annette Ziegler declined, in December, to recuse herself from a case involving Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, which spent $2 million — more than her Ziegler’s own campaign — supporting her 2007 win. In light of that decision, as well as additional revelations that Justice Ziegler had ruled on 11 cases involving a company for which her husband was a director, editorials around the state called for her to step down from the case, and even from the bench. Not coincidentally, all seven of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court justices, a broad majority of Wisconsin’s public, and even a plurality of self-identified “very conservative” Wisconsin voters support public financing of judicial elections.”

Read the full article here – http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120614225489456227.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries

In today’s Star Tribune, Lori Sturdevant discusses impeding threats to the judiciary with Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Russell Anderson. “‘If big spending on judicial races doesn’t come to Minnesota in this election cycle, it will soon. When it gets here, it’s going to be very difficult to change,’ Anderson said. Judges who’d prefer not to associate with political parties or interest groups will feel compelled to do so, for self-protection. Groups that don’t now put their brand on a judge will think they must, to safeguard their interests. ‘When this comes, our very good state judicial system is going to be at risk.’”

Read the complete article here – http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/16690936.html

Today’s Star Tribune editorial praises the work of Minnesota Chief Justice Russell Anderson. “Anderson has sought the spotlight in his last months to warn of a growing threat: special interest groups sinking millions into judicial elections. ‘The intent of many,’ he warned legislators recently, ‘ … is to buy the robe.’

Along with a panel headed by former GOP Gov. Al Quie, Anderson is urging reforms to protect judges from political influence. Among them: longer terms and disallowing contested elections. Minnesotans concerned about the independence of the judiciary would do well to heed the urgency in some of Anderson’s final words from the bench.”

Read the full editorial here: http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/16562386.html