Defending the Judiciary

Our American system of justice is based on the constitutional right to trial by jury, a system in which evidence is weighed and decisions about the facts are made by jurors working collectively to arrive at a fair and just determination of the issues at hand.  Fair and impartial courts are essential to that goal. 

The mission of the American Board of Trial Advocates is the protection of the right to trial by jury before an independent judiciary.  The rule of law, the role of the jury, and the independence of the judiciary are fundamental, guiding principles of our historic, constitutional system of the separation of powers.  All play a vital role and must remain independent of political or personal influence. 

Judges are governed by the rule of law-not partisanship ideologies or special interests.  Ethical standards established in model codes of judicial conduct generally preclude judges from speaking in public on matters over which they preside.  As a consequence, when judges are the subject of unfair criticism, they cannot defend themselves.  The American Board of Trial Advocates can and does speak on behalf of judges when unfair criticism is leveled against them or pressure is applied in an attempt to affect their impartiality.  Preserving the quality and independence of the judiciary has been and will continue to be an important focus of ABOTA’s efforts.  

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