zlacker

>>_delir+(OP)
> The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists.

Wow, unreal that she could approve such a warrant. Even in the absence of a federal statute it seems like a crazy step to take.

>>wyldfi+X3
Are there consequences of any kind for judges?

>>bright+tG1
Not in the same way as you and me. They can be voted out of office (if elected,) impeached, or censured, but they enjoy judicial immunity[0] for their acts as a judge. They cannot be sued for acts they commit as a judge, no matter how egregious[1].

0 - this is as close to absolute immunity as exists in the law. In fact, you could, with a straight face and clean conscience call it absolute immunity.

1 - no, seriously. They can, for instance order an underage girl to be sterilized in an ex-parte hearing and face no consequences. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stump_v._Sparkman

>>marcus+CJ1
Oh settle down.

Stump v. Sparkman, 435 U.S. 349 (1978), is the leading United States Supreme Court decision on judicial immunity. It involved an Indiana judge who was sued by a young woman who had been sterilized without her knowledge as a minor in accordance with the judge's order. The Supreme Court held that the judge was immune from being sued for issuing the order because it was issued as a judicial function. The case has been called one of the most controversial in recent Supreme Court history.

The most controversial case in recent Supreme Court history being from 45 years ago speaks directly to how rare this level of controversy is.

>>TheSpi+VT1
> Oh settle down

Maybe you should be more riled up.

The point is it happened and there were no consequences or accountability for the judge involved.

If you think more minor “controversies” don’t happen every single day, enabled by this sort or legal reasoning, I cannot help you.