It has been two years since Daniel Anderl, the son of federal Judge Esther Salas, was killed in a 2020 attack at her New Jersey home. The Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act was a bill introduced into Congress the following year that would allow current and former federal judges to ask public-facing websites to remove personal information about themselves or immediate family members.
The bill has been stalled ever since despite bipartisan support, but hopes are now high that it will pass before the end of this year. Language from the bill has been incorporated into the Senate’s latest version of the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2023.
“(This) brings us one step closer to protecting federal judges and their families,” three senators advocating for its inclusion said in a joint statement. “No judge in America should have to fear for their lives and the safety of their family as they work to deliver equal justice under the law.”
If the Bill Passes...
Congress has also allocated $112 million for additional courthouse security — but most of the recent incidents involving harassment and threats of judges have taken place at their residences. The Daniel Anderl Bill will help when it becomes law – but that law must still be enforced. Ironically, the murder of Anderl occurred in New Jersey, which already had a law in place protecting the privacy of judges. Had action been taken to implement that protection, a tragedy might have been avoided.
We work with courts, as well as police officers, social workers, and other public servants in careers where threats are not uncommon to take necessary actions to make sure private content is removed. And we don’t take no for an answer.
