NCJ Number
65438
Journal
Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science Volume: 363 Dated: (JANUARY 1966) Pages: 36-43
Date Published
1966
Length
8 pages
Annotation
WHILE THE ETHICS OF THE AMERICAN JUDICIARY VARY WIDELY, THE VAST MAJORITY OF JUDGES HAVE A HIGH LEVEL OF INTEGRITY AND EXACTLY ETHICAL STANDARDS.
Abstract
COMPLAINTS DIRECTED AT THE JUDICIARY ARE FAR MORE FREQUENTLY AIMED AT THE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND JUDGEMENT OF JUDGES THAN AT THEIR ETHICS AND HONESTY. IN SPITE OF THE CANONS OF JUDICIAL ETHICS ENACTED IN 1924 BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, CORRUPTION, DISHONESTY, AND SUSPEPTIBILITY TO POLITICAL PRESSURE JUDICIAL PROFESSION. (AMONG OTHER ETHICAL LAPSES) HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN THE THE ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE JUDICIARY ALSO EXTEND BEYOND THE BASIC ESSENTIALS OF HONESTY, IMPARTIALLY, AND FAIRNESS. JUDGES MUST NOT ONLY AVOID EVIL OR WRONGDOING, BUT ALSO MUST AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF SUSPICION OF IMPROPRIETY, BOTH ON THE BENCH AND IN PRIVATE LIFE. SELECTED ETHICAL PROBLEMS ARE IDENTIFIED INCLUDING JUDICIAL DISQUALIFICATION, POLITICAL INDISCRETION, AND FINANCIAL SPECULATION. WHILE THE JUDICIARY HAS GENERALLY MET ITS ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS, ITS ETHICAL PERFORMANCE CAN BE IMPROVED. THE BEST ASSURANCE FOR HIGH ETHICAL PERFORMANCE COMES FROM INSISTENCE UPON OUTSTANDING INTEGRITY FROM THOSE SELECTED FOR JUDICIAL OFFICE. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED-MJW)