WASHINGTON (AP) — Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor continues to hear cases in U.S. appeals courts while also playing a role in public policy issues.
Her critics say she should do one or the other, but not both.
The 81-year-old O'Connor has campaigned against the election of state court judges. She says that threatens the judiciary's independence because of increasing campaign contributions.
Most recently, O'Connor hosted an after-hours reception at the Supreme Court that featured speakers who oppose a proposed Alaskan copper and gold mine. They were in Washington to lobby lawmakers and regulators against the proposed mine.
Arthur Hellman, an ethics expert at the University of Pittsburgh law school, says O'Connor should consider not hearing cases if she "wants to engage in this level of political or politically related activity."
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