Rule barring judges from joining parties remains in place

Scott Bauer of the Associated Press reports on Milwaukee County Circuit Judge John Siefert's case challenging the constitutionality of state rules prohibiting judges from joining political parties or endorsing candidates in partisan elections. Judge Barbara Crabb of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin has denied relief pending next year's scheduled trial. If the rule was invalidated, Judge Siefert would join the Democratic Party.

Siefert hired James Bopp, a high-profile Republican attorney, to argue his case. Bopp is a former adviser to then-Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and a member of the Republican National Committee. He argued that the rule should be suspended because Siefert is campaigning and needs to seek donations.

The state, in defense, argued that getting rid of the rule would hurt the court's appearance of impartiality and lead to more judges having to not hear cases because of potential conflicts.

Mr. Bopp was a member of the panel at our chapter's March 11, 2007 event.

(via WisPolitics)


Update: Why Siefert wants to be a Democrat, by Marie Rohde, Proof and Hearsay, Tuesday, June 3, 2008