Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Protect Federal Judges and Their Families from Threats and Violence

Strategic Insights -

Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) introduced the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2021, a bipartisan, bicameral piece of legislation to bolster efforts to protect the federal judiciary and safeguard the personally identifiable information of federal judges and their immediate families. The bill aims to provide the U.S. Marshals Service and other agencies with the resources and tools necessary to protect federal judges and their families from threats and violence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2021 was introduced in response to the tragic targeted attack on US District Court Judge Esther Salas's New Jersey home in 2020, which resulted in the critical wounding of her husband and the killing of their 20-year-old son.
  • The bill authorizes funding for the Federal judiciary to monitor and assess online threats, maintain records, investigate complaints, and address acts of aggression and violations.
  • It also allows the U.S. Marshals Service to hire additional intelligence analysts, deputy U.S. Marshals, and other personnel to ensure the agency can anticipate and deter threats to federal judges.
  • The bill shields the personally identifiable information of federal judges and their immediate family, including home addresses, social security numbers, contact information, vehicle registration information, and the name of the schools and employers of their immediate family members.
  • The legislation has been endorsed by the New Jersey State Bar Association, National Association of Attorneys General, Judicial Conference of the United States, Federal Magistrate Judges Association, American Bar Association (ABA), Dominican Bar Association, New York Intellectual Property Law Association, Federal Bar Council, Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), and Federal Judges Association.
  • The ABA President Patricia Lee Refo stated, "It is urgently needed to preserve the ability of our federal judges to decide matters that come before them without fear of reprisal or physical harm to themselves or their families."
  • The Hispanic National Bar Association National President Elia Diaz-Yaeger said, "This legislation is an important step toward better protecting the safety, independence, and privacy of those who serve our nation in the federal judiciary."
  • The National Association of Attorneys General stated, "Increasingly, public servants are being threatened with physical violence and death simply for carrying out their duties in accordance with the oath they swore to uphold the Constitution."
  • The New Jersey State Bar Association President Domenick Carmagnola said, "Even more, this legislation will fortify the independence of the Judiciary that our country holds in the highest regard."

Statistics:

  • 89% increase in security incidents against federal judges between 2016 and 2019, according to the audit.
  • The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General (IG) concluded that "the USMS does not have the resources or proactive threat detection capabilities that the USMS has determined it needs to meet its protective services obligations for USMS-protected persons, including judges."

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives
  • Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)
  • Senate Version Introduced by Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker
  • United States Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General (IG) Report
  • Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO)
  • U.S. Marshals Service (USMS)
  • New Jersey State Bar Association
  • National Association of Attorneys General
  • Judicial Conference of the United States
  • Federal Magistrate Judges Association
  • American Bar Association (ABA)
  • Dominican Bar Association
  • New York Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Federal Bar Council
  • Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA)
  • Federal Judges Association