For Immediate Release                                  July 22, 2008

Contact:  Charles W. Hall of Justice at Stake, 202-588-9454, chall@justiceatstake.org

Justice at Stake Calls on Political Party to Halt Court-Bashing Ad

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 22—A nonpartisan watchdog group today called for an end to an anti-court ad campaign being run by the Michigan Democratic Party. The ad singles out the state’s Republican chief justice, who is up for re-election this fall, and suggests that his ruling ought to be based on campaign-trail pressure.

In a statement, Executive Director Bert Brandenberg said the ad targets Michigan Chief Justice Cliff Taylor and "appears designed to intimidate him into ruling a certain way on a potential case—or face the prospect of losing his job if he doesn’t."

The ad refers to a proposed ballot initiative, sponsored by Reform Michigan Government Now, that would cut judges’ salaries by 15 percent and remove two justices, both Republican, from the state Supreme Court.

In its ad, the state Democratic Party says that "Chief Justice Cliff Taylor has a choice: let the people vote for change, or protect his salary and perks." It concludes, "Justice Taylor should let the voters decide," hinting that "special interests" may seek to block the measure in court.

Brandenburg said legal cases should be based on the facts and the law, not partisan intimidation.

"Our courts have to be independent if they’re going to be accountable to the law and the Constitution instead of political coercion. When judges are pressured to prejudge a case before they hear it, and threatened with a pink slip if they don’t buckle, the rule of law is turned on its head."

The Justice at Stake campaign is a nonpartisan national partnership of 50 organizations working to keep courts fair, impartial and independent. Justice at Stake has not taken a position on the proposed Reform Michigan Government Now ballot measure, nor does it ever endorse candidates.

Click here for the full text of Justice at Stake's statement.