Judges not above law | News, Sports, Jobs - Martins Ferry Times Leader
People attending a school board or municipal government meeting often are puzzled when a member of one of those elected bodies chooses to abstain from voting on an issue.
TOften the member in question made the correct decision regarding something that would have been a conflict of interest. For example, perhaps a school board member abstained because a son, daughter or other relative was being hired as a teacher.
People serving in elected positions are expected to know and abide by rules to prevent conflicts between their private interests and their official responsibilities. Those who violate conflict-of-interest laws deserve the penalties applicable to the offense.
The Wall Street Journal released findings from an investigation into federal judges who failed to recuse themselves in cases where they had conflicts. Here is the most troubling finding: “More than 130 federal judges have violated U.S. law and judicial ethics by overseeing court cases involving companies in which they or their family owned stock.”
Federal law since 1974 has prohibited judges from hearing cases that involve a party in which they, their spouses or their minor children have a “legal or equitable interest, however small.” According to the Journal’s investigation, no judges in modern times have been removed from the federal bench solely for having a financial interest in a plaintiff or defendant who appeared in their courtroom.
Perhaps it is time for that to change.
Newsletter
Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Editorials
Address strangulation law
In light of the investigation into the death of Gabby Petito, who died from strangulation, there has been a push ...
Federal dollars are the lifeblood of academic research institutions, and when it comes to the field of medicine, ...
On Nov. 2, Belmont County voters have the chance to ensure that important services will remain available to more ...
“Threats against public servants are not only illegal, they run counter to our nation’s core values,” ...
Domestic violence still a problem
You may have seen the purple signs cropping up around the area announcing that October is Domestic Violence ...
It’s extremely hard to talk about mental health. There’s an unfair stigma. An estimated 26% of Americans 18 ...
source: https://www.timesleaderonline.com/opinion/editorials/2021/10/judges-not-above-law/
Your content is great. However, if any of the content contained herein violates any rights of yours, including those of copyright, please contact us immediately by e-mail at media[@]kissrpr.com.