Local Disciplinary Records Accessibility

It is important to have local disciplinary records accessibility of all judges because it promotes transparency and accountability within the judicial system. Local disciplinary records contain information about any past disciplinary actions taken against a judge, including complaints filed by litigants or attorneys, investigations, and sanctions.

Access to this information is crucial because it allows the public to make informed decisions about the judges who preside over their cases. Litigants, attorneys, and members of the public should be able to know if a judge has a history of misconduct or unethical behavior, so they can make informed decisions about whether to appear before that judge.

Having local disciplinary records accessibility of all judges also serves as a deterrent to misconduct. Judges who know that their actions are being closely monitored and that any violations will be made public are less likely to engage in unethical behavior.

Moreover, local disciplinary records accessibility can help identify patterns of misconduct or systemic issues within the judicial system. If multiple complaints are filed against a judge for similar types of misconduct, it may indicate a larger problem that needs to be addressed.

Finally, local disciplinary records accessibility can help maintain public trust in the judicial system. When the public knows that judges are held accountable for their actions and that disciplinary records are available for review, it can increase confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the courts. This, in turn, can help ensure that the justice system is seen as fair and just by all members of society.

United States Freedom of Information Act

5 U.S.C. § 552

Since 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has provided the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. Federal agencies are required to disclose any information requested under the FOIA unless it falls under one of nine exemptions which protect interests such as personal privacy, national security, and law enforcement.

- 89^th United States Congress

We the People

We the People have a Right to Know according to the Supreme Court of the United States [SCOTUS], past Presidents (of both major political parties), Congress, and the United States Department of Justice. As an expression of that Right to Know, we have coordinated valuable information from a number of resources into a single, public-facing, searchable database.