Arthur Hellman on an Inspector General for the Federal Judiciary

Professor Arthur D. Hellman testified at a legislative hearing of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on H.R. 5219, the “Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2006.” The bill would create an independent Inspector General for the federal judiciary. The IG – to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States – would conduct investigations of complaints of judicial misconduct, conduct and supervise audits, detect and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, and recommend changes in laws or regulations governing the judicial branch. Professor Hellman supported H.R. 5219, but suggested that it be made clear in the proposed statute that the IG would have no authority over the substance of judicial decisions. He also recommended that an IG’s responsibilities in misconduct proceedings would not begin until after the chief judge and the circuit judicial council have completed their work. Link to Professor Hellman's testimony: http://judiciary.house.gov/media/pdfs/hellman062906.pdf Related items: The press release announcing the hearing Coverage in The Third Branch, the newsletter of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts