Our Courts Need More Judges to Ensure Justice for All

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy Rodriguez, media@acslaw.org

Washington, D.C.  – American Constitution Society President Russ Feingold released the following statement in response to the Judicial Conference of the United States recommending new judgeships.

“The American Constitution Society supports the recommendation by the Judicial Conference of the United States for new judgeships. Our courts have seen a consistent rise in caseloads over the past few decades, without a corresponding increase in judgeships. Only 34 district court judgeships have been added since 1999, and appeals courts have not received new judgeships in over 30 years. The result is judges carrying untenable caseloads and too many cases moving at glacial speed. This is a disservice to our courts and to the people seeking access to justice.

If justice delayed is justice denied, it’s difficult to see how justice can be achieved with current backlogs. New judgeships, particularly at the district level where most people experience the judicial system, will benefit the collective. A functioning judiciary must be able to resolve cases in a timely manner, and that’s simply not possible in too many courts today.

In addition to the critical need for new judgeships, ACS reiterates the importance of ensuring that judicial nominees reflect the people that our courts serve and represent. The combination of new judgeships and an absolute premium on increasing the diversity of our courts are important reforms for a judicial branch that serves all people.”

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AMERICAN CONSTITUTION SOCIETY
ACS believes that the Constitution is “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” We interpret the Constitution based on its text and against the backdrop of history and lived experience. Through a diverse nationwide network of progressive lawyers, law students, judges, scholars, and many others, we work to uphold the Constitution in the 21st Century by ensuring that law is a force for protecting our democracy and the public interest and for improving people’s lives. For more information, visit us at www.acslaw.org or on Twitter @acslaw