The U.S. Supreme Court has adopted a code of ethics for the first time in history, however some critics believe the court’s ethical policy misses the mark.
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga. told theGrio, the code of ethics is a “public relations move.”
“[Many] are left unsettled by what the court has adopted,” he said.
“We’re left with the same reality that was in place prior to the code of conduct,” Rep. Johnson added. “Justices are the judge and jury of their own ethics.”
The court’s code of conduct encourages justices to recuse themselves from a case if there is a conflict of interest and it suggests that justices should not speak at events that are associated with political parties or groups that have an interest in a case that the court has granted certiorari.
On the contrary, the code of conduct does not require the justices’ compliance and the code will not be reinforced if the justices cross ethical lines.
Elliot Mincberg, senior legal counsel with People for the American Way, told theGrio, “This is a very small step forward because the content of the code clearly falls short.”
“Unlike every other federal judge in the country who is subject to a code of conduct, there is no enforcement if Supreme Court justices violate the code of conduct,” he said.
“Other judges can be investigated. They can be censured. They can even be recommended for impeachment, but there is nothing at all in the Supreme Court code that makes it all enforceable,” Mincberg added.
In a statement obtained by Rep. Johnson he stated, “[the] code does not go far enough.”
He said, it does “not specifically deal with private jet travel, it does nothing to reform amicus brief abuse, and leaves the door open wide for Federalist Society junkets for select justices.”
Mincberg told theGrio, that the code of conduct is not transparent.
“One of the key issues is when…
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