Judicial confession of error—candidly stated—clears the air, but correction painting itself as clarification falls short.
The panel in its corrective order would have done well to acknowledge that it had fallen short of Canon 3, the commentary to which notes, “The duty to hear all proceedings fairly and with patience.” The panel’s dramatic order had a shelf life of only two weeks before the judges felt compelled to replace it with a “superseding” and “clarifying” order. Their “nostra sponte” initial order was an impulsive and injudicious intervention in an explosive issue on the eve of an election in which the contested policy was a major issue.
Month: November 2013
OTHERWISE: Removal of Judge Scheindlin: Six Retired Federal Judges and Thirteen Ethics Profs Seek en banc review
Six retired federal trial judges, joined by thirteen ethics professors, have filed an amicus brief calling for the 2d Circuit Court of Appeals to review en banc the panel orders removing Judge Shira Scheindlin from the New York City stop and frisk litigation. Among the professors is our co-author Bruce Green
NYC Bar Association Report : Developing Legal Careers and Delivering Justice in the 21st Century:
“New York City Bar Association Task Force on New Lawyers in a Changing Profession, Developing Legal Careers and Delivering Justice in the 21st Century: Following more than a year of analysis, the New York City Bar Association’s `bue ribbon’ Task Force on New Lawyers in a Changing Profession today released a report recommending fundamental changes in education and career focus for new lawyers”
The report may do more than gather dust, and certainly has valuable and accessible discussion – beyond curricular reform [skeptical of casebook courses’ adequacy] – on the impact of technology on law practice, opportunities and obstacles for small firm and solo practice, outside financing of law firms, and the unmet needs of moderate income people for legal representation.
OTHERWISE: Second Circuit retreats on Judge Scheindlin
OTHERWISE: Second Circuit retreats on Judge Scheindlin.
In a “superseding order” the Second Circuit panel that removed and criticized Judge Shira Scheindlin has backed off its criticism of her but left itsremoval order inplace. Its new tone will help to defuse the situation. I posted an extensive comment on Legal Ethics Forum, where the Circuit’s new opinion and order can be found. – GWC
Police Officers Involved in Danziger Bridge Shootings and Coverup Granted New Trial
U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt granted five former New Orleans police officers new trials after they were convicted for their involvement in the Danziger Bridge shootings and cover-up after Hurricane Katrina. The judge found that the defendants were prejudiced by anonymous internet postings by federal prosecutors before and during the trial. For more on the controversial decision, read Bruce Green’s article, “Two Wrongs Make it Worse in Cops’ Retrial” in The National Law Journal.
Legal Ethics Forum: In stop-and-frisk case, Second Circuit stays remedies, rebukes trial judge for ethics lapse, reassigns case
The post below contains some discussion of the issues raised by the 2dCircuit’s removal of Judge Shira Sheindlin from the NYPD stop and frisk case. The judge disputes the accuracy of some of the reporting. The 2d Circuit objects to her apparent self-defence, and declares her unit to continue as the judge on the controversial case which challenges the New York City Police Department’s aggressive stop and frisk progam. – GWC.
Opinion below. Key excerpt:
The case is REMANDED to the District Court for the sole purpose of implementation of this Order, and the mandate shall otherwise remain with this Court until the completion of the appeals process.
Upon review of the record in these cases, we conclude that the District Judge ran afoul of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, Canon 2 (“A judge should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities.”); see also Canon 3 (C)(1) (“A judge shall disqualify himself or herself in a proceeding in which the judge’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned . . . .”), and that the appearance of partiality surrounding this litigation was compromised by the District Judge’s improper application of the Court’s “related case rule,” see Transfer of Related Cases, S.D.N.Y. & E.D.N.Y. Local Rule 13(a), and by a series of media interviews and public statements purporting to respond publicly to criticism of the District Court.
Accordingly, we conclude that, in the interest, and appearance, of fair and impartial administration of justice, UPON REMAND, these cases shall be assigned to a different District Judge, chosen randomly under the established practices of the District Court for the Southern District of New York. This newly-designated District Judge shall implement this Court’s mandate staying all proceedings and otherwise await further action by the Court of Appeals on the merits of the ongoing appeals.
Professional Responsibility: A Contemporary Approach 