Statement on Chief Justice Roberts' Year-End Report
Earlier today, Chief Justice John Roberts issued his year-end report on the federal judiciary. In it, he focused on an update to federal court rules that took effect earlier this month and not updates to institutional policies that would increase public access.
Fix the Court executive director Gabe Roth said: “For two years in a row, the Chief Justice’s year-end report has referenced outdated conventions – pneumatic tubes last year and the rules of dueling this year – that have no relevance to the way in which a 21st century Supreme Court carries out its constitutional duties.
“Instead of telling tales of times past, Roberts should look to the future and to implementing institutional improvements – from recusal reform to ending the broadcast media ban – that will help the court maintain its rightful legitimacy in an ever more skeptical world.”
Here is a link to Fix the Court’s own year-end report, which discusses the types of reforms we hope to see at the high court in 2016.