What are two ways that judges are held accountable to citizens?
Asked by: Reymundo King | Last update: November 7, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (71 votes)
All judges and high-ranking judiciary officials and senior staff must file public financial disclosure reports each year, as required of all three government branches by the Ethics in Government Act. Judiciary personnel are also subject to certain provisions in the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (“STOCK”) Act.
What are two unethical practices a judge could become involved in?
Obvious examples are violations of criminal law, sexual misconduct with staff/attorneys/parties, joining discriminatory organizations and using the judicial position to enhance a private interest.
What is an example of judicial accountability?
Judicial accountability by courts through adjudicating cases brought against justice actors, protecting human rights, monitoring the powers of justice officials, assessing constitutionality, providing remedies, and inspecting police or prison facilities.
What are 3 things judges do?
Judges are key to the fight for civil rights
Judges provide instructions to juries prior to their deliberations and in the case of bench trials, judges must decide the facts of the case and make a ruling. Additionally, judges are also responsible for sentencing convicted criminal defendants.
What are examples of a judge being biased?
In questioning prospective jurors about their attitudes concerning race in a criminal trial, a judge repeatedly used a racial epithet and negative stereotypes in reference to the defendant's race, with the defendant's apparent consent.
Law professor explains how judges in LA are held accountable
What are four types of judicial misconduct?
Selected Types of Judicial Misconduct
Abuse of authority. Failing to disclose a conflict of interest. Improper communication about a case. Improper political activities.
How do you expose a biased judge?
- Request Recusal. ...
- File Appeal to Send Decision to a Higher Court. ...
- File a Motion for Reconsideration. ...
- File a Grievance on the Basis of Unethical Behavior.
Can you call a judge sir?
In person: In an interview, social event, or in court, address a judge as “Your Honor” or “Judge [last name].” If you are more familiar with the judge, you may call her just “Judge.” In any context, avoid “Sir” or “Ma'am.”
What are 2 facts about judges?
In the United States judges are elected or appointed. Most federal judges are appointed for life by the president with the advice or consent of the Senate. The highest-ranking judge in the U.S. legal system is the chief justice of the United States.
What is higher than a judge?
The powers of a judge are checked by higher courts such as appeals courts and supreme courts.
Do judges have any accountability?
Accountability is a core value of the federal Judiciary, as stated in the Strategic Plan for the Federal Judiciary, encompassing: stringent standards of conduct; self-enforcement of legal and ethical rules; good stewardship of public funds and property; and.
What are some examples of being accountable?
- Pay attention to the details. ...
- Acknowledge and fix your mistakes. ...
- Help your coworkers. ...
- Develop a proactive approach. ...
- Show up as a leader. ...
- Stand up for what's right. ...
- Improve your attendance. ...
- Be willing to accept criticism.
Who can overrule a judge?
Most federal court decisions, and some state court rulings, can be challenged. The U.S. courts of appeals usually have the last word. The nation's 94 federal judicial districts are organized into 12 regional circuits, each of which has a court of appeals.
Can you sue a judge for bias?
In essence, absolute immunity provides these officials with freedom from lawsuits, allowing them to invoke this protection through pretrial motions. For instance, judges and judicial officers in California enjoy a broad scope of absolute immunity that remains intact, even in light of the state's tort claims act.
Can a judge refuse to look at evidence?
Lawful suppression of evidence means the judge rejects the use of the evidence in the court because they think that the evidence may be inadmissible due to a violation of the Constitution or other statutes that permit the evidence to be excluded.
What happens when a judge makes a wrong decision?
Evaluate the nature and impact of the error. Determine if it can be easily remedied through a motion to reconsider or by addressing the issue in court. If the error is significant and cannot be resolved later, consider an interlocutory appeal, which allows direct appeal to the appellate court while the case is pending.
Who is the boss of a judge?
There is no “boss” as such, besides administrative matters. Salaries are set by statute of the jurisdiction, and are paid by the taxpayers.
What should you not say to a judge?
- 'I Did It. ' ...
- 'They Didn't Tell Me...' ...
- Expletives. ...
- Lies, Lies, Lies. ...
- 'I Will Represent Myself.
Do you call a lawyer sir?
Address an attorney as "Mr." or "Ms." in most contexts. In the salutation for a letter or email, address an attorney the same way you would any other respected professional- using "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their surname. Generally, this is the best way to address an attorney if you've never spoken to them before.
Is it okay to say yes, ma, am to a judge?
“Yes, ma'am” or “Yes, sir.” Recognizing that the attorney's intent is to be respectful (and finding this preferable to the “OK, honey!” or, “Sure, Holly!” which I have heard from the occasional self- represented litigant), the proper way to address a judge is either as “Your Honor” or “Judge [insert last name].” I ...
How to deal with corrupt judges?
File official complaints to your state judicial oversight bodies. Cite specific violations of rules or codes. And then publish those complaints here and on the FCLU's Facebook and Twitter sites. Research and publish reports on corrupt judges.
When a judge doesn't like you?
What if I get a judge that doesn't like me? Unfortunately, you are stuck. The only way you can change a judge is if you recuse them but there has to be some sort of wrongdoing or bias that is shown and that's not always easy to do.
What is the 170.6 rule?
If you have a case in superior court, and you believe you cannot get a fair and impartial hearing or trial from the judge, commissioner, or referee assigned to your case, California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 170.6 gives you the right to disqualify him or her without having to show a reason.