Lapse

Holding judges to high ethical standards is essential to the American legal system. The US Supreme Court’s recent adoption of an ethics code is an overdue acknowledgment of this reality. But the court’s failure to include any enforcement provisions reduces the code to a paper tiger. The public shouldn’t fall for it.

Where ethics are concerned, the high court has long taken the approach of adopting “rules for thee but not for me”— requiring all other federal judges to adhere to high standards while exempting itself. Not surprisingly, the justices have exhibited a series of embarrassing ethical lapses, including failing to recuse themselves despite owning stock in companies appearing before them; failing to disclose lavish vacation gifts; using public employees to help promote and sell books; and accept- ing free accommodations for themselves and guests.