DOJ Stats: Double Trouble for Judges, Prosecutors as Protection Falls Short
Threats and other “inappropriate communications” made to federal judges and prosecutors have more than doubled over a six-year period, and additional efforts are needed to contain them, according to a report by the Department of Justice.
Released today, the report called for the U.S. Marshals Service to correct what DOJ Inspector General Glenn Fine described as “deficiencies,” says CNN.
It calls for better coordination with other law enforcement agencies and better reporting and communication of threats and inappropriate communications.
Reported incidents grew from 592 during fiscal year 2003 to 1,278 in fiscal year 2008, the report states. Sadly, it was released on the same day that a man who may have been a disgruntled litigant reportedly killed a security worker in a shootout at a federal courthouse in Las Vegas.
Additional and related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “‘Hate Blogger’ Charged Over Alleged Web Threats to Murder 7th Circuit Judges”
ABAJournal.com: “Security Worries Spur Some Judges to Pack Heat, Use 24-Hour Guards”
ABAJournal.com: “After Murders, Judge Seeks ‘Resurrections’”
Associated Press: “Gov’t Report: Threats to federal judges, prosecutors, more than doubled in past 6 years”
Washington Post: “Audit criticizes Justice Department threat-response program”
Updated on Jan. 5 to link to additional coverage.
