other times, they distort or disregard science

[GoodTaste]

At no point does the U.S. Constitution refer to medicine. Yet courts have long invoked medical evidence and judgment to support their constitutional interpretations, and today medicine plays a prominent role in high-stakes constitutional conflict. Abortion, Covid-19 safety, transgender rights, and criminal responsibility are among the contested realms in which medical arguments are commonly made. Sometimes, these arguments rest on rigorous research; other times, they distort or disregard science. And often, they rely largely on medicine’s cultural sway.

Source: New England Journal of Medicine

Do "they" in "other times, they distort or disregard science" refer back to the "courts"?
Grammatically, it is clearly so. But logically, the duty of courts stands for justice. So such distortion or disregard sounds discomfatable and in turn makes me rethink the grammar.

 

[5jj]

Sometimes, these arguments rest on rigorous research; other times, they distort or disregard . And often, they rely largely on medicine’s cultural sway.

'They' refers back to 'these arguments’.