Washington, DC— Today, the nation's first comprehensive study of the systems that hold state and federal judges accountable ranked Connecticut second best in the nation, yet called the state's program far from perfect and gave it a B-minus grade. To shine a light on the typically secretive and toothless systems that often fail to remove abusive and incompetent judges from the bench, legal consumer watchdog group HALT, Inc. released its 2008 Judicial Accountability Report Card, analyzing programs in all 50 states, D.C. and the federal circuits.

"Connecticut's judicial oversight system provides meaningful public access to a mechanism that is considered impenetrable in the vast majority of states," stated HALT Senior Counsel Suzanne M. Blonder.

Featuring the best online resources of any judicial conduct commission in the nation, the Web site for the Judicial Review Council provides straightforward navigation, a clear and detailed explanation of the disciplinary process, a downloadable complaint form, and helpful links to the state's Code of Judicial Conduct and disciplinary procedural rules.

HALT refused to issue Connecticut an A grade, however, faulting the state for failing to place adequate restrictions on the reimbursement and compensation that judges may accept in connection with privately funded trips. "Connecticut's laws unfortunately include massive loopholes that still allow members of the judiciary to be wined and dined on the corporate dime," noted Blonder.

HALT's study also critiqued Connecticut's reliance on private sanctions and pointed to states such as Washington, which took top honors on the Report Card, that have eliminated closed-door penalties in favor of public discipline exclusively. "By allowing members of the judiciary to escape with secret slaps on the wrist, Connecticut deprives litigants of much- needed information about a judge's disciplinary history," stated Blonder.

Connecticut ranked just below Washington state, and just above Pennsylvania, Arizona, California and Texas, but none of the top states scored higher than a B average on the Report Card. More than half of the states received grades in the C range and HALT issued D's to 14 jurisdictions. Two states-Maine and Mississippi-flunked outright.

"At a time when the American public has lost faith in the impartiality and fairness of the nation's judiciary, it's critical that we have an effective system of oversight for judges," stated Blonder. "Connecticut's program may have flaws, but in significant areas, it provides a model for the rest of the nation."