Austin News

June 13, 2024

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released statements after their Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act passed the Senate. The bill aims to establish a State Judicial Threat Intelligence and Resource Center to provide technical assistance, training, and threat monitoring for state and local judges and court personnel.

“In the face of unacceptable attacks on our judiciary, more must be done to protect our nation’s courts, the men and women who work in them, and the judicial independence they uphold each and every day,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bipartisan legislation would establish a resource center to identify and respond to bad actors who threaten judges, their families, and employees, and I urge the House to quickly send it to the President’s desk.”

“I’m delighted that the Senate has unanimously passed our bipartisan bill to help keep state and local judges safe so they can do their jobs without fear or prejudice,” said Sen. Coons. “Every public servant, including the members of our state and local judiciary, should be able to do their jobs free from threats to themselves, their families, or their livelihoods. It is a shame that heightened polarization and partisanship has led to a spike in threats and attacks on members of the bench that endangers the independence of our justice system.”

“Judges perform a critical community service at every level of our justice system,” said Sen. Moran. “In response to growing threats and attacks against members of the judiciary, the Senate has advanced our legislation to provide needed resources and support to local law enforcement tasked with protecting judges and courthouses.”

“It’s a sad reality that threats meant to intimidate judges and court personnel have increased significantly in recent years,” said Sen. Whitehouse. “Our bipartisan bill to improve security at courthouses and judges’ homes will protect court officials from violence and harassment and help safeguard the integrity of the judicial system.”

The bill is cosponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Barrasso (R-WY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Mark Kelly (D-AZ).

The Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act would create a State Judicial Threat Intelligence and Resource Center with several key functions:

- Provide technical assistance regarding judicial security.

- Offer physical security assessments for courts, homes, facilities where judicial officers conduct business.

- Conduct research on best practices around judicial security.

- Be housed within the existing State Justice Institute.

The legislation is supported by various organizations including Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ), Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA), Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal (CCJSCA), All Rise, National Association for Presiding Judges & Court Executive Officers (NAPCO), National Association for Court Management (NACM), American Judges Association (AJA), National Center for State Courts (NCSC), National District Attorneys Association (NDAA).