Circuits now use randomization to block chief judges from stacking panels

Evidence

In the past, some chief judges were accused of “stacking” the panels to achieve the results they favored. Today, extraordinary efforts are made to prevent this. Judges are rotated so that the same ones do not sit together constantly. The Eleventh Circuit uses a computer-generated random matrix to set the composition of every panel a year in advance. In addition, each circuit has developed mechanisms for ensuring randomness in the assignment of cases to panels. — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 296

Categorization

• CANDY: The Eleventh Circuit randomizing panel composition via computer matrix a year ahead is a fun institutional tidbit.
• XREF: connects to: Panel composition influences outcomes, so circuits randomize judge assignment — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 366; Random selection, not elections, prevents the hierarchies elections breed. — Yanis Varoufakis, Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism, 747

Broader Connections

• Panel composition influences outcomes, so circuits randomize judge assignment #expands (0.96) — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 366
• Random selection, not elections, prevents the hierarchies elections breed. #expands (0.78) — Yanis Varoufakis, Technofeudalism, 747