Page 132 - Cityview_May_June_2014

COMMUnITY RESOURCE GUIDE

by bruce fox

Buying Justice: Political Dollars

Compromise Equality Before the Law

A growing number of examples show that campaign donations to

judges can severely damage the impartiality of the recipient.

A
white paper published cannot be overstated that the integrity the other two branches of government

by the American Board of
and validity of our courts’ decisions rest and the political process. for example,
Trial Advocates last year
upon the public’s trust and confidence in according to Mother Jones Magazine, in

draws attention to several the system... But if the judge’s campaign the 2012 election:
malicious forces currently receives a significant campaign donation

erodingourcountry’slong-cherished fromoneofthelitigants,theotherside’s • Presidentobama’sre-election
ideal that everyone receives a fair shot in trust in the court’s impartiality is likely to campaign became the first in united

the courtroom. In particular, the paper be compromised if not destroyed.”
States history to raise and spend
sounds an alarm about the growing influ- We daily see the corrosive effects of more than $1 billion.

ence of money on judicial elections: “It
extensive campaign fund-raising on

130 cityviewmag.com may june 2014