Bill Overview
Title: Protect Our Judiciary Act of 2022
Description: This bill removes the intent requirement for the criminal offense related to picketing or parading in or near a building or residence used by a judge, juror, witness, or court officer.
Sponsors: Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved with judicial locations or activities
Estimated Size: 200000
- The bill concerns activities 'in or near a building or residence used by a judge, juror, witness, or court officer', meaning individuals who are often directly involved with the judicial process are a key population.
- Individuals who engage in protests, picketing, or parading near judicial residences or places of work are directly impacted, as the removal of the intent requirement could make it easier for them to be charged and convicted.
- Judges, jurors, witnesses, and court officers themselves may experience an indirect impact as their safety and security may be affected by changes in what is considered a criminal offense in their vicinity.
- The broader public may also be impacted in terms of their rights to protest and assemble as they may face greater legal risks near judicial figures.
Reasoning
- The primary target of this policy consists of individuals directly involved with court locations and judicial activities, such as legal professionals, activists, and residents near judicial figures. Judges and court staff might feel increased security, potentially affecting their stress levels and overall wellbeing.
- Individuals engaging in protest activities or those who live near judicial figures might experience changes in how secure they feel when participating in public assemblies or while going about their everyday lives. This could impact their reported wellbeing negatively due to increased legal risks.
- Since budget constraints are limited, the policy might focus more broadly on informing the public about these legal changes rather than direct interventions, which implies that direct impacts might be modest in size but could have significant chilling effects.
- Estimating self-reported wellbeing involves considering both direct legal changes and broader societal impacts, including personal safety, freedom of speech issues, and general stress associated with increased legal vulnerability.
Simulated Interviews
Judge (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy provides better clarity and security for individuals like myself who have faced intimidation attempts.
- I believe it may have unintended effects on peaceful protests, but overall, it makes my work environment feel safer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Activist (New York, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill might make participating in demonstrations riskier for me and others.
- I feel that our right to protest is becoming more constrained.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 4 |
Court Reporter (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy should provide a safer environment for court staff and officials.
- I don't foresee this affecting my daily work routine much.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Public Defender (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could discourage important public discourse that surrounds our courts.
- My clients might find themselves facing legal challenges more frequently.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Law Student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about how this policy may affect people's willingness to engage in activism.
- It makes me reevaluate my plans regarding activism near judicial locations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Homeowner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could reduce disruptive activities in my neighborhood.
- I'm hopeful it brings more peace and quiet to the area.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the need for security around courthouses.
- This policy might make people think twice about gathering peacefully.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Journalist (Miami, FL)
Age: 46 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act raises serious questions about press coverage and public transparency.
- It could change how protests are covered and perceived by the public.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Paralegal (Denver, CO)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see how this policy aims to protect judicial processes.
- However, limiting public space for protest could be concerning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Police Officer (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy should help enhance security measures effectively.
- Might face fewer operational challenges during protest events.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3000000 (Low: $2200000, High: $3800000)
Year 2: $3100000 (Low: $2300000, High: $3900000)
Year 3: $3200000 (Low: $2400000, High: $4000000)
Year 5: $3300000 (Low: $2500000, High: $4100000)
Year 10: $3500000 (Low: $2700000, High: $4300000)
Year 100: $4500000 (Low: $3700000, High: $5300000)
Key Considerations
- Potential increase in legal system backlog due to more cases requiring court time and resources.
- Impacts on civil liberties and potential public opposition due to perceived violations of free speech and assembly rights could influence indirect costs.
- Need for clear implementation guidelines to ensure consistent application across jurisdictions.