The ABA created the Standing Committee on Judicial Independence in 1997 to promote public awareness about the values of an independent, accountable and efficient judiciary and to assist in responding to unwarranted criticism. The committee has a particular focus on state and local judiciaries. It has cosponsored a model plan on how to respond to criticism of judges that has been distributed to state and local bar associations across the country, and is developing a comprehensive model of public awareness activities. The Standing Committee is also addressing judicial selection issues and developing Standards on Judicial Selection.

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