About Fix the court
Fix the Court: Holding the Supreme Court Accountable
Fix the Court is a non-profit organization that aims to promote transparency and accountability in the United States Supreme Court. The organization was founded in 2014 by Gabe Roth, who was frustrated with the lack of openness and accessibility of one of America's most important institutions.
The Supreme Court is often referred to as "the least transparent branch" of government. Unlike other federal courts, it does not allow cameras or live audio broadcasts during oral arguments. It also does not release same-day transcripts or audio recordings, which means that members of the public cannot access information about what happens inside the courtroom until hours or even days later.
This lack of transparency has serious consequences for democracy. It makes it difficult for citizens to understand how decisions are made and how their rights are being protected. It also makes it harder for journalists to report on important legal issues and hold justices accountable for their actions.
Fix the Court seeks to address these problems by advocating for reforms that would make the Supreme Court more open and accessible. Some of its key initiatives include:
- Cameras in the courtroom: Fix the Court believes that allowing cameras into oral arguments would increase transparency and help educate Americans about how their highest court works.
- Same-day audio releases: The organization advocates for same-day release of audio recordings from oral arguments so that people can hear what happened in real-time.
- Financial disclosures: Fix the Court pushes for greater financial disclosure requirements from justices so that citizens can better understand potential conflicts of interest.
- Term limits: The group supports term limits for Supreme Court justices as a way to ensure fresh perspectives on legal issues.
In addition to these initiatives, Fix the Court also conducts research on various aspects related to judicial transparency such as tracking attendance records at public events held by Justices, analyzing financial disclosures filed by Justices etc.,
The organization has been successful in raising awareness about these issues through media coverage, social media campaigns, and public events. It has also been successful in getting some of its proposals implemented, such as the release of same-day audio recordings.
Fix the Court's work is important because it helps to ensure that the Supreme Court remains accountable to the American people. By promoting transparency and accessibility, it helps to maintain public trust in one of our most important institutions.
In conclusion, Fix the Court is a vital organization that seeks to promote transparency and accountability in America's highest court. Its initiatives are aimed at making sure that citizens have access to information about how decisions are made and how their rights are being protected. The organization's work is essential for maintaining a healthy democracy where all citizens can participate fully in our legal system.