- Last Updated 01/07/2008 -
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| » | Judicial Impartiality: Public Education Materials |
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The MSBA Judiciary Committee has put together materials to make it easy for you to speak to community groups about Minnesota's judiciary, judicial selection, and the importance of a fair and impartial judiciary. The materials are also available on a CD that is available free of charge from the Minnesota State Bar Association. If you would like to receive a copy of the CD, please e-mail Nancy Mischel at nmischel@mnbar.org
- Minnesota’s Judiciary: Keeping It Strong, Fair and Impartial (Powerpoint presentation/Slide show)
- Outline And Detailed Talking Points (for use with slide slow or on their own)
- Frequently Asked Questions (resource for speakers)
- Handout/Fact Sheet
- Instructions (Accompanying CD)
| » | What
is judicial impartiality? |
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Judicial independence is the principle that judges should be free to use their best judgment to interpret and apply the law without fear of punishment. When truly independent, judges are not influenced by personal interests or relationships, the identity or status of the parties to a case, or external economic or political pressures. The principle is the core of judicial authority and extends to all functions of the court system that are necessary to the exercise of constitutional judicial powers.
National Center for State Courts
top| » | Why does Judicial Impartiality matter ? |
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Broad-brush attacks on the judiciary, in general, undermine both individual judges and the institution as a whole. But of much greater concern to me is the damage done to the public’s trust in our judiciary and the impact that eroded trust has on the nature of our democracy. If the attacks on judges take root, the citizens of this country will be the losers. After all, judicial independence is not for the benefit of judges; it is for the benefit of the people. And it belongs to the people.
Minnesota Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz
State of the Judiciary
June 17, 2005
Independent judges ... do not act on behalf of particular persons, parties, or communities. They serve no faction or constituency, and they must strive to do what is right in each individual case, even if the case in question should find the least popular person in America opposed by the most powerful government in the world.
U.S. Justice Stephen Breyer
National Commission on the Public Service
July 15, 2002