January 31, 2026 12:34 am

February 27, 2025

Judge Shopping, Explained | Brennan Center for Justice

Judge Shopping: Impact on Federal Judiciary and Efforts for Reform

In January, a Texas judge allowed a case challenging the FDA’s approval of a medication abortion to proceed, though the facts had no link to Texas. This highlights judge shopping, where litigants choose judges aligning with their ideological aims, often affecting national policies. The practice distorts justice and calls for reforms to ensure random judge assignment, preserving court impartiality and public trust.

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