As an analyst with a background in constitutional law and experience working in securities regulation, I believe the Supreme Court’s decision to strip the SEC of its power to use in-house judges for civil suits is a significant blow to the agency. Although the SEC’s use of administrative proceedings allowed for quicker resolution and fewer resources spent on trials, it also created an unfair advantage for the agency in enforcing securities laws.


Last week, the US Supreme Court decided that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is no longer permitted to rely on internal adjudicators to resolve disputes. Instead, the SEC will be required to bring all future lawsuits in federal court and argue their cases before impartial juries and judges during trials, as they enforce securities regulations and impose penalties on violators.

According to the Supreme Court’s decision, establishing in-house tribunals infringes upon the Seventh Amendment’s guarantee of a right to a jury trial, thereby granting excessive authority to the SEC. In a 6-3 vote, the Court decided to rescind this executive power that was granted to the financial regulatory body through the Dodd-Frank Act following the 2008 financial crisis.

As a crypto investor, I’d interpret it this way: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has the authority to manage civil lawsuits and impose financial penalties through their own administrative judges and internal procedures, bypassing the need for juries. However, with concerns about potential constitutional violations, the Supreme Court may strip federal agencies, including the SEC, of this executive privilege, leading to a significant shift in how they handle such cases.

Through this action, the Supreme Court aims to create a more even playing field in administrative proceedings for civil suits. Federal agencies currently hold an advantage in these proceedings, serving as judge, jury, and executor in cases they choose not to bring before a jury. In his opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts, who was among the judges supporting this decision, emphasized, “An individual charged with a fraud offense retains the constitutional right to be tried by a impartial jury and an unbiased judge.”

“I strongly disagree with the majority’s decision that overturns established legal precedent and undermines the authority of federal agencies to enforce laws passed by Congress. By taking away their power to conduct internal proceedings, we risk impairing their ability to apply the law effectively and efficiently.”

Sotomayor remarked, “The decision we have today is alarming within the context of the separation of powers. The Supreme Court seems to be implying that they hold exclusive knowledge in this realm.”

Image by Daniel Bone from Pixabay

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2024-07-01 22:39