Courts Must be Free from Outside Influences, Federal Judge Tells Chamber's Breakfast Club

Judges in the United States should be free from political and social pressures when making rulings, federal Judge D. Brooks Smith told the Blair County Chamber of Commerce at its June 9 Breakfast Club.

Judge Smith, who is the senior United States circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, cited the recent example of pro-choice protesters marching outside the homes of Supreme Court justices.

"Courts are the non-political branch of government," Judge Smith said. "Judges must be free to apply law free from outside influence."

Although the U.S. Supreme Court can decide...