Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Law Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Law

Is There A Threat To Judicial Independence In The United States Today? Roundtable Discussion, Roundtable Discussion Jan 1998

Is There A Threat To Judicial Independence In The United States Today? Roundtable Discussion, Roundtable Discussion

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This roundtable discussion poses the question of whether there is a threat to judicial independence in the United States today and, if so, what it is, to a panel of five judges composed of Honorable William H. Walls, Honorable Edward R. Becker, Honorable Morton I. Greenberg, Honorable Jan E. DuBois, and Honorable Stanley Sporkin. Some discuss what they consider the great stall by a partisan majority Senate to confirm judicial nominations, while others argue they have encountered no threat to their judicial independence, which allows for unpopular decisions to be made. Another concern discussed is that for state judges that …


Catholic Judges In Capital Cases, Amy Coney Barrett, John H. Garvey Jan 1998

Catholic Judges In Capital Cases, Amy Coney Barrett, John H. Garvey

Journal Articles

The Catholic Church's opposition to the death penalty places Catholic judges in a moral and legal bind. While these judges are obliged by oath, professional commitment, and the demands of citizenship to enforce the death penalty, they are also obliged to adhere to their church's teaching on moral matters. Although the legal system has a solution for this dilemma by allowing the recusal of judges whose convictions keep them from doing their job, Catholic judges will want to sit whenever possible without acting immorally. However, litigants and the general public are entitled to impartial justice, which may be something a …