Judiciary
Task Force Description
The ALEC Judiciary Task Force develops model policy solutions on criminal and civil justice matters. Currently, nearly one in every 100 American adults is behind bars and once released from prison more than four in ten return within three years. This failing system costs federal, state, and local governments approximately $85 billion, yet does not deliver adequate public safety results for taxpayers, victims, and individuals. In addition, our current criminal justice system places tremendous human costs on society.
In response, the American Legislative Exchange Council began its work in criminal justice and aimed to advance proven criminal justice reforms based on over two decades of data-driven research and practice. Members of the Judiciary Task Force advance solutions that refocus criminal justice resources on dangerous individuals and put the right programs in place to hold those who commit nonviolent offenses accountable while providing them with the resources they need to successfully reenter society.
On civil justice, the Judiciary Task Force and its members are at the forefront of the efforts to restore fairness and predictability to the civil justice system. The Task Force has developed model policy to protect the legal system from frivolous litigation that threatens its reliability, strains judicial resources and cripples businesses’ ability to innovate, employ and engender economic prosperity. We bring together legal scholars, state lawmakers and industry representatives to craft targeted reforms that minimize loopholes, oust outrageous legal theories, align lawsuits with commonsense liability, and make the legal system a better arbiter of the free market economy.
This work has resulted in the development of over 75 diligently developed model policies that balance justice in such areas as consumer protection liability, judicial overreach, asbestos litigation, workers’ compensation, product liability, anti-SLAPP public speech protection, jury service, sue and settle regulatory expansion and more.
All Model Policies
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An Act to Establish a Court Appearance Reminder Program and Reduce Failure to Appear Final
Section 1. Legislative findings and purpose. The Legislature finds that: (a) Every missed court appearance where a warrant is a consequence costs the government an estimated $1,496 in time and resources; (b)Every missed court appearance where a warrant is a consequence drastically…
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The Phantom Damages Elimination Act Final
Section 1. Title. This Act may be known as the Phantom Damages Elimination Act. Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to provide fair compensation for past and future medical expenses based on the reasonable value of medical services and treatment. Section 3. Definitions. For purposes of this…
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Freedom of Expression Protection Act Final
Section 1. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the “Freedom of Expression Protection Act.” Section 2. Definitions For purposes of this Act, the following terms have the following meanings: (a) “creative or artistic expression” means the expression or application of…
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Survivor Justice Act Final
Section 1. Short Title This Act shall be known and may be cited as the “Survivor Justice Act.” Section 2. Purpose and Findings (a) Findings. The legislature finds that: (1) In many criminal prosecutions, survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence,…
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The Colorimetric Presumptive Field Drug Test Limitations Act Final
Section 1. Purpose and scope. This section covers the state’s use of Colorimetric Field Drug Tests to ensure reliable and accurate identifications of controlled substances are produced and to maintain the integrity of criminal convictions. Section 2. Definitions. For purposes of this Act, the following terms have the following meanings:…
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Gavin’s Law Act Final
Be it enacted by this legislative chamber: An ACT to Amend this State’s Code of Laws by Enacting “Gavin’s Law” by Adding a Section to Create the Offenses Of “Sexual Extortion” and “Aggravated Sexual Extortion,” to Define Necessary Terms, and to Provide Penalties for Violations. Section 1. …