Litigation

What Polls Are Saying About Recusal

By Charlie Hall

In a previous Gavel Grab posting, Justice at Stake intern Lissette Villarruel noted that the following online poll is being conducted by Parade magazine. While admittedly unscientific, its numbers are similar to more rigorous national polls sponsored by USA Today and Justice at Stake.

Here is the Parade poll:

Can Judges Be Bought?

Some experts believe our courts are being swayed by special interests. What do you think?

Should a judge be allowed to hear a case involving a campaign contributor?

View Results

Read the story »

The graphic above allows you to access the story and take part in the poll. Voting is likely to continue for weeks, but already public sentiment is overwhelming on a basic belief:  judges should not, all things being equal, hear cases involving major campaign contributors. As of early afternoon Monday,  93% of those voting in the Parade poll said ?No,? and only 7% said judges should handle cases involving contribtors.

A similar USA Today poll reported that more than 90% believed that judges should not be allowed to judge a case involving a party which contributed to the judge?s campaign. (more…)

Full post as published by The Gavel on March 09, 2009 (boomark / email).