Caperton v A.T. Massey Coal Co.

This case posed the question whether judicial campaign contributions can form the basis for recusal of a judge and, if so, under what circumstances recusal may be required. In amicus briefs filed in support of the cert. petition and, after the Court granted the petition, in support of the petitioners, Public Citizen highlighted the breadth of the problem, which extends well beyond cases involving eye-catching contribution amounts or multi-million dollar verdicts. We urged the Court to address the circumstances under which judicial campaign contributions can create an appearance of impropriety that threatens the public’s and litigants’ faith in the judicial system.

The Supreme Court decided in favor of the petitioner.