Ethics

Article here about the Civil Gideon movement, by Paul Marvy and Laura Abel.  Abstract:

Around the country, state and local bar associations, access to justice commissions, and local advocacy groups are working to expand the right to counsel in their jurisdictions. The passage of three statutes in the past three years is tangible evidence of their efforts. Many civil right to counsel advocates take as their mandate a resolution passed unanimously by the American Bar Association?s House of Delegates two years ago, calling on the government to provide counsel in cases in which ?basic human needs are at stake.? This Article describes efforts underway in eleven states to expand the right to counsel, as well as national efforts, and concludes that these efforts promise to result in increased access to the courts for low-income people.

Article here about absolute judicial immunity, by Matthew Myer, focusing in part on the Pennsylvania "cash for kids" scandal.  Abstract:

In numerous cases following Randall v. Brigham in 1868 and Bradley v. Fisher in 1871, the United States Supreme Court has granted judges broad absolute immunity for all acts they have taken within their jurisdiction. The breadth of absolute judicial immunity is justified by numerous public policies. The policy arguments supporting judicial immunity are so strong that there are only two recognized exceptions to the doctrine.



Two cases pending before the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, however, demonstrate the need for Congress to act to provide a third exception. The conspiracy at the center of these criminal and civil cases is alleged to be the largest instance of judicial corruption in American history. This Note argues that the policy justifications behind absolute judicial immunity do not apply to racketeering acts a judge performs within his or her jurisdiction as part of his or her judicial function.



The Note proposes that Congress amend the Civil RICO statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1964, to establish a third exception to judicial immunity. The Note includes the text of the amendment it proposes and argues that if Congress would enact the amendment before the conclusion of the civil case now pending in Pennsylvania, and if Congress would make clear its intent for the amendment to have retroactive effect, the amendment, when triggered, would remove immunity protection from the judges? non-administrative acts.