Latest news with #retiredjudges
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
More than 130 retired judges urge federal court to drop charges against Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan
A bipartisan group of more than 130 retired judges filed a brief Friday urging a federal court to drop charges against Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan, saying her arrest undermines "centuries of precedent on judicial immunity." Dugan, a Milwaukee County circuit court judge, was arrested April 25 by FBI agents on federal allegations she prevented the arrest of a man by immigration authorities during a federal law enforcement operation at her courthouse. The man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, was arrested and detained at an immigration detention center. In an amicus brief filed Friday, the group of judges argue that Dugan shouldn't be prosecuted because "she is entitled to absolute immunity for her official acts." "This bar on prosecution is the same absolute immunity that is given to members of the legislative and executive branches for their actions taken in an official capacity," the brief read. The group of 138 former state and federal judges called the prosecution of Dugan, who was indicted by a grand jury earlier this month on one count each of concealing an individual to prevent arrest and obstruction, an "egregious overreach by the executive branch" that "threatens public trust in the judicial system and the ability of the public to avail themselves of courthouses without fear of reprisal." "Allowing prosecution of Judge Dugan for the alleged actions would create a chilling effect on judges that would stifle independent decision-making and cast doubt on the universal recognition that judges are in charge of maintaining order and decorum in their courtrooms and courthouses," the group of judges wrote. They also argued that prosecuting Dugan "threatens to undermine centuries of precedent on judicial immunity, crucial for an effective judiciary." Dugan, who was released from custody following her arrest, pleaded not guilty earlier this month. A federal judge set her trial to begin the week of July 21. Dugan has served as a judge in Milwaukee County Circuit Court since 2016, after she was elected with about 65% of the vote. She was reelected in 2022 after running unopposed. and contributed to this report.
Malay Mail
10-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Judges should have cooling-off period instead of joining GLCs or other top posts immediately when retired, ex-judge says
KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — Judges in Malaysia who retire should wait instead of immediately taking up top-paying corporate jobs such as in government-linked companies (GLCs) or public listed companies, former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mah Weng Kwai said today. Mah was agreeing with Bar Council's Civil Law and Law Reform Committee co-chair Datuk Seri M Ramachelvam, that retired judges should have a 'cooling-off period' to avoid any possibility of a sitting judge being potentially influenced when deciding on cases before retiring. 'I think that's a jolly good idea, simply because the appointment doesn't happen overnight,' the former Malaysian Bar president said during the Malaysian Bar's forum titled 'Judicial Independence in Malaysia: Past Lessons, Current Challenges'. 'So the appointments would have happened with the GLCs or the big Berhads, this would have been done and negotiated while the judge was still in office. 'The safest way of course is not to take on any money-paying job after you retire,' he added, noting that retired judges could take on work such as arbitration cases or do charitable work. Mah said he himself does pro bono work for the St John Ambulance and Assunta Hospital. He said judges would also have had savings over the years, saying: 'So that should be enough and if you are good in time management and money management, that should be enough to tide you for at least 10 years after retirement. So don't go start looking for top-paying jobs, that's my advice to sitting judges.' Co-Chairperson of Bar Council Civil Law and Law Reform Committee Datuk Seri M Ramachelvam speaking during the Judicial Independence in Malaysia Forum held at Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium, Malaysian Bar. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin Earlier in the same forum, Ramachelvam had cited the 'Beijing Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary' adopted in 1995 by chief justices in the Asia Pacific region, including on the judiciary's relationship with the executive arm of government. Ramachelvam highlighted the 39th principle in the Beijing principles, where inducements or benefits should not be offered to judges or accepted by judges if it would or might affect the performance of their judicial function. 'The other issue of great concern is judges taking up positions in GLCs and businesses immediately after retirement. You have even seen chief justices going on to hold positions in GLCs immediately upon retirement, there's no gap and so on and so forth. 'This of course affects public confidence. Were they compromised in any manner once they were holding office or were they looking out for such lucrative GLC positions, so on and so forth. So it is imperative that a cooling-off period be introduced,' he said, putting exceptions on taking posts in non-profit or charity organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund or Malaysian Association for the Blind. Ramachelvam also said the Malaysian Bar does not agree with retired judges who go on to be lawyers bringing up cases in the courts, saying that it would be acceptable if they were only to be legal consultants that do not appear in the courts. Mah, Ramachelvam and Universiti Malaya's holder of the Tunku Abdul Rahman chair Emeritus Prof Datuk Shad Saleem Faruqi were the three speakers of a panel in a lengthy session discussing the topic of 'Safeguarding the Bench: Judicial Independence in Malaysia' at the forum.
