So much for maintaining an appearance of impartiality.
29 Wisconsin Circuit Court judges, including 9 from Milwaukee County, decided it was a good idea to sign recall petitions against Governor Walker. 17 employees in the Dane County District Attorney's Office (including several Assistant District Attorneys) did the same.
Wow.
I recognize that it's not a per se violation of ethical rules for judges or prosecutors to sign recall petitions. That becomes a lot more problematic however when a judge (or a prosecutor) is subsequently called upon to review or handle cases that involve actions related to the Walker Administration.
Quite simply, how can the public believe you're impartial if you've taken a political stand against one of the parties?
It's for this reason that it was out and out stupid for a Dane County Judge to sign a recall petition and then not disclose this fact prior to ruling on the Voter ID law. Similarly, moving forward, how can the Dane County District Attorney's Office continue to make decisions on issues related to Governor Walker (from the legality of legislation to the prosecution of protestors) without creating an appearance of impropriety?
I realize that being a liberal in Wisconsin means never having to say you're sorry. Just because you have a right to do something though doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.
Too bad a bunch of judges and prosecutors don't get this!
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