Judges play a crucial role in upholding democracy and the rule of law. Threats against them — whether physical, online, or reputational — undermine judicial independence and erode public trust in the justice system. When judges fear for their safety, it can impact their ability to make fair, impartial decisions.
Likewise, misinformation, disinformation, and political attacks on judges contribute to a growing crisis of public confidence in the judiciary. This weakens the legal system’s legitimacy and makes it harder for courts to function effectively. This article is intended to summarize key aspects of the Defending the Judiciary project and provide resources for those seeking to help respond to this growing crisis. It proceeds in two parts:
- Part 1 — Identifies immediate, mid-term, and long-term actions to help defend judges and the judiciary
- Part 2 — Provides a list of statements, guidelines, and educational tools from the Bolch Judicial Institute and other peer organizations
Part 1: Countering Threats to Judges: Immediate, Mid-Term, and Long-Term Actions
In the fall of 2024, the Bolch Judicial Institute hosted the first Defending the Judiciary Conference to help identify opportunities to protect judges from coordinated and sustained attacks. With the help of AI, our team at the Bolch Judicial Institute analyzed the conference recordings to identify immediate, mid-term, and long-term actions that judges, legal professionals, policymakers, and the public can take. An archive of the full panel discussions and transcripts can be accessed here.
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🔴 Immediate (Acute) Actions
For Judges
- Strengthen personal security (install cameras, alarms, use data deletion services) Panel — Managing Security Challenges
- Report threats immediately to law enforcement and judicial protection units Panel — Managing Security Challenges
- Participate in security training and situational awareness programs Panel — Managing Security Challenges
For Lawyers and Bar Associations
- Activate rapid response teams to counter misinformation and unfair attacks on judges Panel — What Can the Bar Do
- Issue public statements supporting judicial independence when judges face threats Panel — What Can the Bar Do
For Policymakers & The Public
- Pass emergency legislation to protect judges’ personal information from doxing Panel — Managing Security Challenges
- Strengthen law enforcement coordination to address immediate threats Panel — Managing Security Challenges
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🟠 Mid-Term (Sustained Defensive Actions)
For Judges
- Work with law enforcement to develop long-term security protocols for courts and residences Panel — Managing Security Challenges
- Engage in controlled public outreach and civic education to build trust and transparency Panel — What Can Judges Do
- Advocate for judicial ethics code updates that allow fact-based responses to misinformation Panel — What Can Judges Do
For Lawyers and Bar Associations
- Promote ongoing civility and professional respect for judicial institutions Panel — What Can the Bar Do
- Educate legal professionals on the impact of misinformation and the need for a strong, independent judiciary Panel — Disinformation, Misinformation & Threats
For Policymakers & The Public
- Support judicial security funding in state and federal budgets Panel — What Can Judges Do
- Encourage social media platforms to label and counteract misinformation about the courts Panel — Disinformation, Misinformation & Threats
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🟢 Long-Term (Systemic & Cultural Changes)
For Judges
- Institutionalize security protocols for new judges as part of onboarding Panel — Managing Security Challenges
- Establish judicial education programs to prepare judges for public scrutiny and digital threats Panel — What Can Judges Do
For Lawyers and Bar Associations
- Expand civics education programs in schools and communities to foster long-term public trust Panel — How-to Session: Best Practices for Using Civic Education Opportunities
- Advocate for reforms in judicial selection to minimize political influence on courts Panel — Disinformation, Misinformation & Threats
For Policymakers & The Public
- Push for systemic media literacy education to reduce susceptibility to misinformation Panel — Disinformation, Misinformation & Threats
- Promote structural changes to judicial appointment and election processes to ensure fairness and impartiality Panel — Fireside Chat: Improving Public Trust – What Can Courts Do
Part 2: Statements, Guidelines, and Educational Tools
These resources were developed by the Institute and peer organizations in support of defending judges and the judiciary. This non-exhaustive list is intended to serve as a reference point for organizations and individuals wishing to devise their own statements, letters, or other educational materials.
DISCLAIMER: These resources are intended for general educational purposes only. They may not reflect current law nor are intended to provide legal advice or guidance on litigation. Views expressed belong solely to the author and/or respective organizations, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Bolch Judicial Institute or Duke Law School.
Official Statements & Letters
American Association for Justice
American Bar Association (ABA)
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- ABOTA Urges Congress to Resolve Judicial Crisis (PDF)
- Response to Personal Attack Against Judge (PDF)
American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL)
- ACTL Condemns Elon Musk’s Attack on a Federal Judge and His Call for the Judge’s Impeachment
- Statement regarding comments made by Gov. Newsome and Former Pres. Trump (9/23)
- Letter to Sen. Dick Durbin (PDF)
- Letter condemning unsubstantiated accusations from public officials (PDF)
Federal Bar Association (FBA)
- Statement on the Importance of an Independent Judiciary
- Statement on the Rule of Law
- Statement on Judicial Independence
- Statement on Judicial Security
- Statement on Maryland Judge Andrew Wilkinson and Judicial Security
The New York City Bar Association
- City Bar Supports Independence of the Federal Judiciary in Response to Personal Attacks on Judges
- Upholding the Rule of Law – By Muhammad U. Faridi, President, New York City Bar Association
New York County Lawyers Association
- Statement Defending Authority of the Courts and Rule of Law in Response to Vice President Vance’s Post on X
- Statement on Elon Musk’s Improper Accusations of Corruption by Judge Engelmayer
Editorials (Op-eds)
- Perspective: Why it is important to support the federal judiciary as they wrestle with major issues by Judge Thomas B. Griffith (Desert News, 2.17.25)
Guidelines & Best Practices
American College of Trial Lawyers Judicial Independence Committee
- Guidelines for response to attacks against judges
- The Need to Promote and Defend Fair and Impartial Courts
- Judicial Independence: A Cornerstone of Democracy Which Must Be Defended
Lawyers for Civil Justice (LCJ)
National Center for State Courts (NCSC)
Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law
Reports, Research, & Whitepapers
American Bar Association (ABA)
Arizona Judicial Branch
National Center for State Courts (NCSC)
360Civic/IronWall360
- Securing the Integrity of Our Judicial System: Protecting Judges Beyond the Courthouse, Court Review magazine (PDF)
- The Weaponization of Privacy [Whitepaper by IronWall360; download required]
Educational Materials
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Judicial Independence … Respect It Flyer (PDF)
- Preserving a Fair, Impartial and Independent Judiciary (PDF)
Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law
- Judges Under Siege: Threats, Disinformation, and the Decline of Public Trust in the Judiciary (Judgment Calls podcast)
- Protecting Fair and Impartial Courts: Reflections on Judicial Independence (Judicature)
- The Judiciary Is Under Attack. Lawyers Have a Duty to Defend It (op-ed, Bloomberg Law)
- More Public Trust in Courts Needed to Fight Threats to Judges (op-ed, Bloomberg Law)
Threats to judges are threats to justice itself. Legal professionals, policymakers, and the public must work together to safeguard judicial independence, counter disinformation, and ensure the courts remain fair and impartial. The Bolch Judicial Institute is actively working to issue and amplify statements to counteract misinformation and disinformation about the judiciary. Learn how you can get involved at judicialstudies.duke.edu/defending.