Strong Response Letter

Federal Laws Governing Judges

There are so many rules and laws governing every aspect of our lives; from what our children can talk about in school, to legal drinking age, taxes due according to where we live, speed limit changes for every road you travel on. The list goes on and on, most of these laws are for a good reason, striving to keep our society in a prosperous and civilized manor. Some however are inferior and antiquated. The federal laws governing judges are a prime example.

Rick Casey’s article, “Feds to shred evidence against judge,” in The Houston Chronicle makes an excellent case stating just how inferior the federals laws governing judges are. Casey gives a brief review of the case of a Galveston judge accused of sexual harassment and the lack of public information. According to federal law, all case information regarding any judge remains secret and ultimately destroyed at the conclusion of the investigation. Casey states, “The information should also be made public in order to ensure public confidence in the judiciary.” (B4) It later goes on to say the judge was put on leave, but the 5th Circuit Council didn’t even have the power to garnish his salary for the time. Only Congress can remove a judge in order to keep judicial independence. The Congress is suppose to be the branch of our government most responsive to the people, so why then shouldn’t the people be apprised to the evidence in cases against judges. What kind of message does this give our citizens? We get ticketed and fined up to several hundred dollars for going 5 miles over the speed limit and a district judge gets a paid vacation for sexual harassment. Something seems wrong here. If our government that we live, eat, and breathe by everyday of our lives, can take out the pledge of allegiance, ban smoking all over the city, restrict travel, raise our taxes, why can’t they revise the rules governing judges. Honestly, what kind of faith do you have that next time you stand before a judge, he didn’t walk away from the same crime you are being prosecuted for?

Casey’s article is quite informative and sparked an interest to look into our federal laws governing judges further. As students we all take Government as a class and get a basic working knowledge of how our system is ran. Until, you see the flaws in it you feel it’s just and reliable. Casey points out a valid flaw in our system that merits a revision. It seems like everything these days have a version 2. something maybe it’s time some of our old laws get an upgrade.

Casey, Rick. “Feds to shred evidence against judge.” The Houston Chronicle 30 September 2007, Sunday Ed. B1-B4