VERMONT JUDICIAL ACCOUNTABILITY & INTEGRITY LEGISLATION
"J.A.I.L."
A Proposed Amendment to the Vermont Constitution
The J.A.I.L. initiative is a movement that first emerged in California on the heels of judicial scandals that saw many judges and lawyers indicted for corrupt practices. Popular sentiment to implement measures for judicial reform had been building for decades. It culminated with the drafting of a legislative proposal by Ronald Branson, Member of California's 38th Assembly District Republican Central Committee, who also proposed that similar legislation be adopted for every state and the District of Columbia.
The J.A.I.L. proposal would create special grand juries to investigate complaints against judges. These grand juries would have the power to discipline judges by levying fines, removing them from the bench and, where appropriate, subjecting them to criminal proceedings before special trial juries. Under present law, the judiciary is entirely self-regulated, and this has led, in many instances, to intolerable abuses of judicial discretion. These have involved conflict of interest, denial of due process, withholding of evidence, and other violations of individuals' constitutional rights, including arbitrary and unjustified fines, sanctions, seizure of property, and detention.
United under the banner of JAIL4Judges is a broad coalition of citizens from all backgrounds, professions, and political persuasions who are dedicated to the mission of reforming the judiciary. In Vermont, authorization by state legislators is required for the J.A.I.L. proposal to be placed on the ballot for voter approval. This defines the course of action for Vermont citizens who are determined to work for judicial reform.
A Web page with links and other useful information about state and federal courts and legislatures is under construction. You will no doubt want to see it when it is finished.
Vermont JAILer-In-Chief
David Donley
e-mail: [email protected]
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