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CHICAGO (WLS) — Traditionally, judges have only expressed their views from the courtroom, but a recent shift in policy by the U.S. Judicial Conference is altering this norm throughout the federal judiciary.
In response to increasing incidents of harassment and to uphold judicial integrity, judges are now encouraged to address public criticisms. This year alone, the U.S. Marshals Service has already documented 241 threats against judges, following 564 reported threats in the previous year.
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Confronted with an unprecedented surge in personal threats and broader attacks on the judicial system, federal judges are now stepping forward to share their experiences publicly.
“In my 32 years as a judge, I have never witnessed such extraordinary assaults directed at judges. It’s truly alarming,” stated U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom.
Judge Bloom, who serves in Florida’s Southern District, will facilitate an event on Thursday titled “Bench Breaks Its Silence.” This significant panel discussion will feature four federal judges from various regions recounting personal threats they have faced, marking a conversation that was unthinkable just a few weeks ago.
“When threats arise, or misinformation is spread, or judges are unjustly labeled as corrupt, these new guidelines provide us the chance to speak out and support our colleagues who are under attack,” Judge Bloom explained to the I-Team.
She says thanks to a new advisory opinion from the U.S. Judicial Conference, issued last month, federal judges are encouraged to break their silence. “Silence can be acquiescence,” said Bloom. “We don’t rely on force. We rely on respect. And if there isn’t respect for the rule of law, respect for the work we do, then there’s a question as to the illegitimacy of our courts, and that impacts our rule of law.”
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The I-Team sat down exclusively late last year with Chief Judge Virginia Kendall of the Northern District of Illinois to discuss the extraordinary threats facing members of the bench.
“We can’t be concerned about the judiciary safety when they’re doing this hard work,” said Judge Kendall.
Sources tell the I-Team judges in the Northern District have been issued panic buttons for personal protection, Judge Bloom says that’s far from common practice.
“We’re protected when we come to the courthouse. We’re protected when we make public appearances through the U.S. Marshals Service. But when we go home…we don’t have protection. So, oftentimes we’re sitting ducks,” said Bloom.
“When I first became a judge, it was an anomaly to have any judge have a significant threat. This seems to be like every day someone is contacting me,” Judge Kendall told the I-Team.
In a rare public statement Tuesday, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, John Roberts, said, “Personally directed hostility is dangerous, and it’s got to stop.”
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