Corruption within the American judiciary: The unspoken crime
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Thomas Loikith
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 10:30 AM
End Date
25-4-2025 11:30 AM
Description
American history is full of stories of corruption in the executive and legislative branches of government. Only occasionally, however, is there a story about a corrupt judge. Bribes, extortion, lies, conflicts of interest, and abuse of power are forms of judicial corruption. Judicial corruption erodes public trust in the justice system and respect for the rule of law, it can deny litigants their right to a fair trial, it can upend business dealings, and it can allow the guilty to go free. Despite ongoing efforts to end judicial corruption, it remains a continuing problem. What can and should be done to eliminate judicial corruption in the United States?This is a complex problem requiring interdisciplinary research to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding. Using qualitative research methodology, (textual analysis), I analyzed relevant sources from the disciplines of law and psychology. I identified conflicting insights, found common ground between them, and through integration, achieved a more comprehensive understanding of the problem which allows me to suggest solutions to the problem. My research is not yet complete. However, I conclude that judicial corruption will not be eliminated without significant changes in how it is addressed. The method of selecting judges needs to be transparent and free from the influence of money. Laws governing the conduct of current and former judges need to be strictly enforced. There needs to be more publicity about judicial corruption when it occurs. Those who report alleged judicial misconduct must be protected against retaliation of any kind.
Corruption within the American judiciary: The unspoken crime
American history is full of stories of corruption in the executive and legislative branches of government. Only occasionally, however, is there a story about a corrupt judge. Bribes, extortion, lies, conflicts of interest, and abuse of power are forms of judicial corruption. Judicial corruption erodes public trust in the justice system and respect for the rule of law, it can deny litigants their right to a fair trial, it can upend business dealings, and it can allow the guilty to go free. Despite ongoing efforts to end judicial corruption, it remains a continuing problem. What can and should be done to eliminate judicial corruption in the United States?This is a complex problem requiring interdisciplinary research to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding. Using qualitative research methodology, (textual analysis), I analyzed relevant sources from the disciplines of law and psychology. I identified conflicting insights, found common ground between them, and through integration, achieved a more comprehensive understanding of the problem which allows me to suggest solutions to the problem. My research is not yet complete. However, I conclude that judicial corruption will not be eliminated without significant changes in how it is addressed. The method of selecting judges needs to be transparent and free from the influence of money. Laws governing the conduct of current and former judges need to be strictly enforced. There needs to be more publicity about judicial corruption when it occurs. Those who report alleged judicial misconduct must be protected against retaliation of any kind.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.