Litigation

Editorial: WI Recusal Rule ?Helps Money Talk?

By Peter Hardin

Wisconsin’s new recusal rule, stating that a litigant’s campaign spending will not automatically require a judge to withdraw from hearing a case, continues to draw strong criticism in state newspaper editorials.

The Sheboygan Press has published an editorial headlined, “Courts make it easier for money to do the talking.” The editorial strenuously objects to the recusal rule adopted by the state Supreme Court:

“We’ve long advocated for ways to remove the influence of special interests in races for judicial seats and back the idea of having these campaigns funded by public money, including the Impartial Justice Bill, which provides a mechanism for public financing of supreme court elections.

“But for the court to not require justices to step aside in cases where litigants are also major contributors to their campaigns further erodes confidence in the justice system.”

The editorial also discussed the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, saying “corporations and unions will be able to easily drown out the opposition and elections will become even more expensive than they now are.” You can learn more about the Wisconsin recusal policy from Gavel Grab by clicking here, and about Citizens United by clicking here.

Full post as published by The Gavel on February 08, 2010 (boomark / email).