Amidst a surging tide of skepticism, the New York City Bar Association (NYCBA) has cast its gaze on Congress, beseeching swift action to restore confidence in the Supreme Court – if the court itself doesn’t tighten its reins.
“In these tumultuous times, our bedrock of trust is the judicial system,” stated NYCBA President Susan Kohlmann. “This Senate bill could be the lighthouse guiding the Supreme Court back to its esteemed position in the public’s eyes.”
New York City Bar Association: The Spotlight on SCERT Act
On Monday, the NYCBA fervently backed Senate Bill 359, dubbed the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal and Transparency Act (SCERT Act), a brainchild of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse.
This act isn’t just a piece of paper but a clarion call for accountability.
If transformed into law, the SCERT Act mandates the Supreme Court to:
- Formulate a code of conduct within 180 days of the law’s passage.
- Ensure justices step back from cases if they, or their families, received benefits from involved parties in the last six years.
- Establish robust systems for lodging and scrutinizing complaints against justices.
Lavish Gifts and Missing Disclosures: A Web of Doubts
Gifts, vacations, undisclosed real estate deals – recent revelations have painted some justices in shades of gray.
