In Support of the American Judicature Society
Resolution 1: In Support of the American Judicature Society
WHEREAS, the American Judicature Society (AJS), established in 1913, has worked for over 100 years to improve the administration of justice in the United States and to increase public understanding of the American justice system; and
WHEREAS, AJS recognizes that an independent judiciary, standing firmly as a co-equal branch of government, is a central underpinning of the U.S. Constitution, and accordingly, AJS promotes judicial independence as a means of providing justice that is fair, accountable, and effective; and
WHEREAS, AJS recognizes the value of a judiciary whose membership reflects the nation's population, and therefore promotes judicial diversity as a means of furthering the fundamental goal of promoting a just society; and
WHEREAS, AJS recognizes the responsibility of the judiciary to maintain the integrity of the courts, and therefore promotes judicial ethics and accountability as a means of ensuring that judges act fairly, impartially, and independently; and
WHEREAS, AJS recognizes the challenges faced by candidates seeking appointment or reappointment to the judiciary, and therefore promotes systems of judicial selection that minimize undue influence and conflicts of interest; and
WHEREAS, AJS is now embarking on a national effort to rebuild AJS in order to promote these goals; and
WHEREAS, these rebuilding efforts include the formation of a national advisory council, and will culminate with a national convention to be held in 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Conference of Chief Justices, supports similar goals as AJS;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices strongly supports AJS and its efforts to secure and promote an independent and qualified judiciary and a fair system of justice; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices supports efforts to rebuild AJS nationally, including the convening of a national convention in 2020; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices encourages the judiciaries of each state, territory and the District of Columbia to support these efforts, including through participation in the 2020 national convention.
Adopted as proposed by the CCJ Politics and Judicial Selection/Compensation Committee at the 2018 Midyear Meeting on January 29, 2018.