Judge In Kim Dotcom Extradition Case Steps Down

First time accepted submitter Kalriath writes "After calling the United States 'the enemy' at the NetHui conference last week (reported on Slashdot), Judge David Harvey has stepped down from the Dotcom case citing beliefs that the comments could reflect on his impartiality. From the New Zealand Herald: 'An Internet law expert, Judge Harvey had been considered the perfect choice to hear arguments on whether Dotcom and his Megaupload colleagues should be extradited by the United States to face charges of criminal copyright violation. The district court's chief judge Jan-Marie Doogue said Judge Harvey had made the decision to step down from hearing the case. "He recognizes that remarks made in the context of a paper he delivered on copyright law at a recent Internet conference could reflect on his impartiality and that the appropriate response is for him to step down from the case."'"

Comments

Re:Translation:

[ohnocitizen]

Exactly. If anything this judge stepping aside confirms that NZ is behind the US when it comes to our respective judicial systems. In the US it is considered customary and just for a judge with a conflict of interest to remain on the bench. If he or she is feeling especially patriotic, the judge in question may go on Fox and Friends to confirm why one side in a particular case deserves to lose "SO HARDCORE". Stepping down to avoid potential impartiality is liberal judicial activism.