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‘Stop politicizing our courts’: Stein to veto bill enabling NC chief justice to suspend judges
WRAL • • nation
Key Points:
- North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein plans to veto House Bill 377, which would grant Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby the unprecedented power to suspend trial court judges without pay, citing concerns over judicial independence.
- Stein and Democratic lawmakers argue the bill risks political abuse by allowing the chief justice to punish judges for their rulings or political views, undermining the electorate's role in judicial accountability.
- House Speaker Destin Hall supports the bill, urging Newby to use these powers against judges perceived as too lenient on crime, particularly regarding bail decisions for violent offenders.
- Critics highlight that the Judicial Standards Commission, which must investigate judges before suspension, is heavily influenced by Republican appointees and operates with little transparency, raising fears of politically motivated suspensions.
- Stein views the bill as part of a broader GOP effort to politicize the judiciary through changes like partisan judicial elections and limiting the governor's appointment powers, which he says threatens the rule of law in North Carolina.
