Minnesota bar warns rhetoric attacking judges threatens rule of law

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The Minnesota State Bar Association has released a statement on recent public attacks against judges:

“The Minnesota State Bar Association wishes to express its deep concerns over some public comments criticizing the decisions of judges in criminal cases. Comments, including from public officials, that refer to judges as “extremists” and implying that members of Minnesota’s judiciary put the interests of criminals over those of crime victims are inaccurate, inappropriate, and inflammatory. This type of rhetoric aimed at politicizing our judiciary needs to stop. It impacts the safety of judges and undermines a justice system that is, and must continue to be, anchored in the rule of law.

“While elected officials, lawyers, and members of the public can express disagreement with the decisions of a judge, such expressions of disagreement should be made respectfully without extreme language of attack upon an individual judge or the court system. Trial court decisions are rightfully subject to appellate court review, and that process is the appropriate avenue for a decision to be challenged.

“Maintaining the independence of the judiciary is essential to our system of government in Minnesota and across our nation.”