What are some of the key challenges to judicial independence?

Description: Should we elect judges? Drawing on class material, discuss the arguments for and against judicial elections with particular attention to issues of judicial independence and accountability. What are some of the key challenges to judicial independence? Is elections one of them? Why or why not? [note: you might also find it useful to consider who judges need independence from — the public? other government officials? executives?]

Length: 3-4 pgs

Additional reading suggestions:

AGAINST judicial elections:

Why Judicial Elections are a Bad Thing, Jamelle Bouie, The Nation

The Politics of Judicial Elections, 2019-2020 (Brennan Center for Justice)

FOR judicial elections:

Why We Should Keep Judicial Elections, Chris Bonneau, Washington Post

The Controversy Over Electing Judges, Melinda Gann-Hall, Justice Systems Journal

Tips for paper writing:

• 15 tips for college students: https://www.writeexpress.com/college-writing-tips…. (Links to an external site.)

• Purdue Online Writing Lab: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/teacher_and_tutor_resou…

• #’s 1, 2, 6 & 8 are important on this one: https://www.proofreadingservices.us/college-writin… to an external site.)

Citing cases:

• For APA: https://www.scribbr.com/apa-examples/court-case/(L… to an external site.)

• For MLA: https://style.mla.org/documenting-legal-works/(Lin… to an external site.)

http://www.lpbr.net/2009/11/in-defense-of-judicial-elections.html

Say “only use these sources to write the essay”