Background memos Code of Conduct: How would the Code apply to recent behavior by Supreme Court justices? Download now. For a more in-depth look at the Code of Conduct, download our full briefing. Recusal: What is the current recusal standard for federal judges, and how is it different for Supreme Court justices? Download now. For a more in-depth look at recusal standards and practices, download our full briefing.  Ethics in Government Act: What are the financial disclosure rules for Supreme Court justices, and what are the consequences for violations? Download now.   Open letters Leading ethicists write to the Court. 140 ethics professors from across the country call on the Court to reform its ethics practices. Download now. Reform organizations write to the Court. AFJ and ten other reform and good-government organizations call on the Court to reform its ethics practices. Download now.  Law professors write to the Court. More than 210 law professors renew their call for reform. Download now.

The Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges, which requires judges to “act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary” and explicitly bans political activity, shockingly does not apply to the Supreme Court. Just as surprisingly, Supreme Court justices who have been asked to step aside from a case make their decisions alone, in secret, and with no possibility of review by their peers or any other authority.

Holding the Supreme Court to a lower ethical standard undermines the Court’s appearance of independence and impartiality. That’s why AFJ is calling on the Court to adopt the same rules that hold sway in every other federal courtroom.

Alliance for Justice’s latest short documentary, A Question of Integrity: Politics, Ethics, and the Supreme Court, was released last October, and has been screened all across the country, from Los Angles to Capitol Hill. Learn more about A Question of Integrity here.


 

Sign our petition to Chief Justice John Roberts calling on the Court to immediately and voluntarily adopt the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges.

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