Florida’s own Sen. Ashley Moody is taking the fight against perceived judge‑shopping to Washington with a new piece of legislation she calls the Blocking Overt Attempts at Shopping By Enforcing Randomization Guidelines Act, or the BOASBERG Act. The bill would force every federal district court to assign civil lawsuits to judges strictly at random, removing the ability of litigants or attorneys to steer cases toward a particular jurist.
Why Randomization Matters
Moody, a former judge and prosecutor, said the measure is about preserving an independent judiciary and upholding the rule of law. “The American people need confidence that justice is administered fairly and impartially,” she said in a statement. By mandating random assignment, the bill seeks to eliminate the “improper panel rigging” that her office says can undermine public trust.
Extending Random Selection to Appeals and Post‑Reversal Cases
The proposal does not stop at the district‑court level. It would also require Circuit Court of Appeals panels to be selected at random, and if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns a district‑court decision, the case could not be sent back to the same judge. Instead, a new district judge would be appointed, further insulating the process from potential manipulation.
Transparency Requirements
In addition to randomization, the BOASBERG Act would compel courts to publicly disclose the rules they use to assign dockets. Moody’s office says this transparency will help curb erroneous rulings and reassure the public that federal courts operate without bias.
Broader Judicial Reform Agenda
The bill is part of a larger effort by Moody to modernize the federal judiciary. Earlier this year she introduced the Better Bench Act, which would eliminate a residency requirement for judges on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, allowing qualified judges to live anywhere in the United States.
Support and Opposition
Supporters argue that random assignment is a straightforward way to protect the integrity of the courts and to restore confidence among citizens who feel the system can be gamed. Critics, including some legal scholars and advocacy groups, warn that the bill could create administrative burdens and may not address the root causes of perceived bias. They note that judges already have ethical rules and oversight mechanisms designed to prevent favoritism.
What’s Next?
The BOASBERG Act now heads to the Florida Senate floor for debate before it can be sent to the U.S. Senate. If passed, it would set a precedent for other states and potentially influence federal legislative discussions on judicial transparency and fairness.
Regardless of the outcome, Moody’s push underscores a growing concern among many Floridians—and conservatives nationwide—that the judiciary must remain impartial, transparent, and free from political or strategic manipulation.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
