Bill Overview
Title: 21st Century Courts Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides for the establishment of a code of conduct for Supreme Court Justices, judges of the courts of appeals, judges of the district courts, and judges of the Court of International Trade. The bill also requires court proceedings to be recorded and published on the internet.
Sponsors: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Target Audience
Population: People engaged with, impacted by, or interested in the US judicial system
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The bill impacts the judicial system in the United States, particularly by establishing a code of conduct and increasing transparency through recording proceedings.
- All citizens who use the judicial system, either directly or indirectly, are impacted as court transparency and conduct may affect case outcomes, public trust, and accessibility.
- Legal professionals, such as lawyers and paralegals, will also be impacted by changes in court conduct and recording practices, as these provisions may affect how they present cases and handle legal proceedings.
- The establishment of a code of conduct for judges is particularly impactful for individuals involved in legal disputes, as it may influence judge behavior and ethical standards.
- The publication of court proceedings on the internet affects individuals interested in transparency and those seeking information on judicial decisions, legal precedents, and case law.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to enhance transparency and ethical behavior among judges and in court processes, making it relevant to all citizens, particularly those currently or potentially involved in legal proceedings.
- By requiring a code of conduct and public online recording of court proceedings, the policy could serve around 331 million people over time, as many are indirectly affected by the judicial system's transparency and fairness.
- For those directly involved in legal matters, this policy could influence outcomes significantly, making its impact more pronounced.
- Legal professionals will need to adapt to changes in how court proceedings are conducted and recorded, impacting their daily work.
- The policy's long-term budget suggests a structured, progressive implementation with broad potential impact, with direct and indirect benefits disseminated over years.
Simulated Interviews
Civil Rights Lawyer (Austin, Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new code of conduct is critical, ensuring fairness in the courts.
- Recording and broadcasting proceedings will bring more transparency and can serve as a tool for public education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, California)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Court recordings will improve my understanding of legal processes when needed.
- I support more accountability for judges.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Cleveland, Ohio)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A code of conduct enforces fairness, reducing biases.
- Public recordings might prevent corrupt practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired Teacher (Burlington, Vermont)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Judicial transparency is crucial for democracy.
- This law may never directly affect me, but it's reassuring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Law Student (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recording court activities will be beneficial for educational purposes.
- I'm eager to see how the code of conduct impacts rulings.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Judge (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Adopting a code of conduct is crucial to maintaining judicial credibility.
- Recording proceedings will ensure accountability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Public Defender (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will improve my clients' chances of fair trials.
- Transparency will limit judicial overreach.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired Judge (Miami, Florida)
Age: 64 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A code of conduct is long overdue.
- Publishing court records is a great step for openness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Paralegal (New York, New York)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change will refine the legal system's standards and practices.
- I'll have easier access to case information for research.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Journalist (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will facilitate more in-depth reporting on legal issues.
- Online access to proceedings will enhance public knowledge.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 2: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 3: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 5: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 10: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 100: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Key Considerations
- The cost of technology upgrades for recording and online publishing of court proceedings.
- Training costs associated with implementing and maintaining a code of conduct for judges.
- Potential increased public trust in the judicial system could lead to indirect economic benefits.