activist judges
Bench-based legislators
Activist judges is a pejorative term for judges perceived as ruling based on personal ideology rather than strict interpretation of law.
The accusation implies judges are overstepping their role by making policy rather than applying it.
Almost always used by those who disagree with a ruling: Activist judges struck down the ban.
The charge comes from both left and right, depending on whose precedents are being challenged.
- rulingsAuthoritative decisions on matters
- leftistsPolitical progressives collectively
- lawsEnforceable societal rules
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- judiciaryLaw-interpreting government branch
originalism · media framing · interventionism · interpretation · checks and balances · separation of powers · court packing · legislating from the bench · verdict · jurisprudence · bench · legal reform · social justice · judicial independence · textualism · courtroom · constitutional amendments · litigation
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