Opinion
Leave concerns about Earls’ controversial comments to the voters
Judges and justices deserve more freedom to comment on matters of public concern, especially in a state that fills the jobs through elections.
News
Earls seeks 4th Circuit injunction denied by lower court in First Amendment case
State Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls is asking a federal Appeals Court to issue an injunction that would block the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission from proceeding with an investigation against her. Without an injunction, the commission could consider Earls’ case on Friday.
News
Federal judge denies Earls’ request for emergency injunction in First Amendment lawsuit
Nine days after denying state Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls’ initial request for an injunction against the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission, a federal judge has denied Earls’ second request for an injunction. US District Judge William Osteen issued his latest order Thursday afternoon. He denied Earls’ request to block a commission investigation into Earls’ published comments while she appeals to the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals.
News
Judicial standards group still opposes Earls’ injunction, interview could take place Monday
The North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission continues to oppose an injunction blocking its investigation into published comments from state Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls. Meanwhile, a court filing Thursday suggests Earls might consent to an interview with commission staff next Monday.
News
Earls seeks emergency injunction as she appeals to 4th Circuit in First Amendment suit
State Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls is asking a federal judge to issue an injunction against the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission as she pursues an appeal in her First Amendment lawsuit. Without an injunction, the commission could decide next week whether to move forward with a formal investigation of Earls’ comments about Supreme Court operations.
News
Judge rejects injunction in Earls’ federal First Amendment lawsuit
A federal judge has rejected state Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls’ request for a preliminary injunction in her lawsuit against the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission. Earls argues that a commission investigation into her comments has unconstitutionally chilled her speech about matters of public interest.
News
Hearing scheduled next week in Earls’ First Amendment federal lawsuit
State Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls’ First Amendment lawsuit against the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission is heading to a courtroom next week. A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 2 in Greensboro on Earls’ motion for a preliminary injunction.
News
Civil rights groups, legal ethics professors back Earls’ federal First Amendment case
State Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls has secured support from 16 self-described civil rights organizations and a group of legal ethics professors in her First Amendment fight against the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission. Earls also filed new court documents Friday supporting her case.
News
Judicial standards group moves to dismiss Earls’ federal First Amendment suit
The North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission is asking a federal court to dismiss state Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls’ First Amendment lawsuit against the group. Paperwork filed Friday also asks the court to reject Earls’ request for a preliminary injunction.
News
Osteen chides Earls, Judicial Standards Commission for ‘inflammatory’ court filings
US District Judge William Osteen has criticized both state Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls and the state Judicial Standards Commission for recent court filings in Earls’ First Amendment lawsuit. Osteen labeled language in the court filings “inflammatory.”
News
Earls’ First Amendment lawsuit reassigned from Biggs to Osteen
State Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls’ First Amendment lawsuit against a state judicial standards group will proceed in front of a federal judge appointed by former President George W. Bush, not one appointed by former President Barack Obama.
Opinion
Earls is right — legislature should reform Judicial Standards now
As a conservative commentator, I rarely find agreement with Democrat NC Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls. However, today I do. The North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission should not be in the business of policing political speech. As reported by Carolina Journal, Earls — the most liberal and outspoken member of the state Supreme Court — has filed...
