| A Safe Forum for Justice |
| Recent attacks against judges, their family members, court staff members,
and law enforcement agents represent a disturbing trend. Justice cannot
exist in an environment of initimidation, fear, or violence. |
| By: Hon. James M. Riehl |
|
| The Undermining of the Rule of Law in America
Since September 11, 2001 |
| Since the September 11 attacks, the threat of terrorism has been used to
violate constitutional rights and international commitments. |
| By: Anthony Lewis |
|
| Protecting America’s Courthouses |
| Court security is determined by a wide variety of factors, including architectural
elements, equipment and technology, and personnel and operating
procedures. Courts face the difficult task of balancing security concerns with
values that emphasize the need for openness and access to justice. |
| By: Don Hardenbergh |
|
| The National Center for State Courts Addresses
Court Security |
| With input from different sectors of the judicial community, the National
Center for State Courts has developed a blueprint for improving courthouse
security. The ten-point effort stresses careful planning and vigilant
operational security methods. |
|
| The ABA’s Report and Resolution on
Court Security |
| The ABA is working to improve court security. A recent report to the ABA
House of Delegates recommends that Congress and judicial agencies
determine whether the U.S. Marshals Service has corrected significant
vulnerabilities to critical elements of its judicial security program. |
|
Personal Safety and Public Justice (online preview) |
| Judicial security cannot come at the cost of justice. Some efforts to ensure
safety make fairness and impartiality difficult or impossible for judges. |
| By: Hon. John Kane |
|
| Reducing Conflict Between Congress and the
Judiciary |
| Interbranch tension is at a high point. Congressional efforts against the
judiciary are unnecessary and perilous. |
| By: Hon. Berle M. Schiller |
|
| Departments |
| Court Administration |
| Securing Court Automated Systems |
| Security best practices enable courts to detect and counter threats to court
automation systems. |
| By: John M. Greacen and Terrie Bousquin |
|
| Court Technology |
| The Use of Video Conferencing to Enhance
Courtroom Security |
| Video conferencing can help municipalities improve safety and reduce
costs by avoiding the difficulties and dangers associated with jail-to-courthouse
prisoner transport. |
| By: Harold German |
|
| Judges Abroad |
| The Prospects for Judicial Independence in Kosovo |
| Kosovo’s court and justice system was reestablished in 1989, when the
former state of Yugoslavia splintered. The agenda for Kosovo’s justice
system is clear: to develop institutions designed to ensure judicial
independence and accountability. |
| By: Francis L. Bremson |
|
| Judicial Ethics |
| Courage: The Fundamental Value in Judicial Ethics (online preview) |
| Judges must display extraordinary courage on a daily basis in confronting
physical threats and political pressures. |
| By: Marla N. Greenstein |
|
| Judicial Outreach Column |
| Reaching Out to a Juvenile Detention Center |
| Judges visited the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center with Kemba
Smith, a first-time nonviolent offender sentenced to a long prison term
under mandatory minimum policies for drug offenses. Smith’s talk to juvenile
detainees centered on faith, personal responsibility, self-motivation,
and persistence. |
| By: Hon. Gregory Holiday |
|
| |
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