Founded over 35 years ago, PMC originally focused on supporting the elimination of judicial elections in favor of a merit selection process for appellate court judges. While PMC still favors a merit selection system, it has since expanded to educating students, journalists, lawyers, and the public at large, about the courts and the rule of law and to advocating for fairness, accessibility, and respect in the courts. This is especially important in this time of increasing misinformation and distrust of institutions, particularly the judicial branch.

The lack of knowledge, understanding and confidence in the judiciary—the third branch of government—is very troubling. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, less than 30% of students in the United States are proficient in civics and the public's confidence in the judiciary is currently at an all-time low. As a result, judicial independence and the significance of our Constitution and founding documents have been challenged in recent times, as has the footing of our democracy.