FACDL Joins ABA to Defend Judicial Independence

April 3, 2025

The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers has joined the American Bar
Association and numerous other legal advocacy groups in a statement supporting the
rule of law and decrying attacks on the judiciary and the independence of courts.
The statement is prompted by continuing attacks by the Trump administration on judges
that issue unfavorable rulings, lawyers who represent critics of the administration, and
escalating attacks designed to interfere with the fair and impartial operation of the court
system.

“We reject efforts to undermine the courts and the profession,” the statement reads in
part. “We will not stay silent in the face of efforts to remake the legal profession into
something that rewards those who agree with the government and punishes those who
do not. Words and actions matter. And the intimidating words and actions we have
heard must end. They are designed to cow our country’s judges, our country’s courts
and our legal profession. Consistent with the chief justice’s report, these efforts cannot
be sanctioned or normalized.”

Various government officials in recent weeks have called for the impeachment of judges
whose rulings they dislike, and the administration has targeted law firms and individual
lawyers. Such actions can effectively rob citizens of their right to counsel of their choice.

FACDL President Jason B. Blank says the organization is proud to join in this fight to
protect the rule of law and independence of lawyers and judges.
“Nothing is more critical to the preservation of our democracy than the independence of, and respect for, our courts. To threaten, intimidate and bully lawyers and judges for simply doing their jobs is the antithesis of the American way. We must all stand against these attacks.”

The ABA Statement can be found here.

For further inquiries contact Jason B. Blank at [email protected].