Judicial Ethics: Lessons from the Chicago Eight Trial
Loyola University Chicago Law Journal, Forthcoming
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2019-24
29 Pages Posted: 16 Aug 2019 Last revised: 30 Aug 2019
Date Written: August 16, 2019
Abstract
In 1969, Judge Julius Hoffman presided over the trial of the infamous Chicago Eight -- protestors during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Judge Hoffman's behavior during that trial demonstrates why there is a need for codes of conduct governing judicial behavior in the courtroom. This article revisits the famous trial and the genesis of codes of conduct for judges. To avoid the politicization of trials themselves, it is imperative that judges follow norms designed to ensure fair and impartial trials.
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