An independent judiciary free of intimidation and manipulation is essential to the American democracy, says Robert Grey, president of the American Bar Association. Speaking in Augusta, Georgia, Grey says there is a broad lack of civility towards and a decline in respect for judges. This poisoned political atmosphere, he says, is a danger to both our courts and democracy:
"We must address the current atmosphere in which our courts operate, whether state or federal, and what can only be called a decline in civility and respect toward our justice system. It eats away and alters the public's perception of judges and the justice system until finally the judiciary is neither understood nor respected."
Following the courthouse shootings in Atlanta and the murder of a Federal judge's family in Chicago, Grey is calling for increased security for court employees, judges and jurors. He also calls for an end to the often bitter partisan battles over judicial nominations and vitriolic attacks on some judges that occur in the media. When the servants of justice are attacked, said Grey, our democracy is also attacked.
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