Last fall, the North Carolina Supreme Court quietly dismissed disciplinary action against two Republican judges who violated the state’s judicial code of conduct. One judge ordered a witness to be jailed without legal justification, while the other’s courtroom argument led to a deadly shooting. The decisions were made behind closed doors, raising concerns about the lack of transparency in North Carolina’s judicial discipline process.
Experts like Stephen Gillers criticize the excessive secrecy in the state’s disciplinary system, suggesting that it can conceal wrongdoing. Amidst accusations of political influence on the court, tensions have escalated between justices of different parties, with Justice Anita Earls suing the commission over allegations of bias.
Former Republican justice Bob Orr emphasizes the need for a nonpartisan approach to judicial discipline to restore trust in the system. The cases of the two judges, who were spared public reprimands, highlight the contentious nature of North Carolina’s judiciary and the challenges it faces in upholding integrity.