Judicial Independence
Position in Brief
The League of Women Voters of Hawaii finds that judicial independence is necessary for the Hawaii State Judiciary to operate as a co-equal third branch of government including preservation of individual constitutional rights, fair and impartial adjudication of legal disputes, and fair and timely criminal prosecutions.
Position
The League believes that judicial independence is essential for the State Judiciary to exercise the powers given it by our State Constitution to uphold the principles of a democratic society based on the rule of law, and to maintain the balance of power among the three branches of government.
We believe that it is essential for all individuals and groups to be able to have confidence in a judicial system which is uncompromisingly committed to justice and liberty for all. Every litigant in a civil case or a defendant in a criminal case needs to know that his or her case will be heard by a judge whose loyalty is to the law, and whose integrity will not be compromised by political or popular pressures.
The League’s role will be:
- to educate the public on the structure and function of the State Judiciary,
- to educate and advocate for any needed reforms that are consistent with our positions,
- to educate the public on judicial independence and its importance, and
- to identify and initiate public discourse on any threats to the independence of our courts.
Adopted November 15, 2003
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