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Legal Activists' News & Views Click Headline for Full Story
December 2009
A Rochester author exposes the shocking shortcomings of our legal system-and gets national attention for it.
12-21-09 -- After a few years had passed, friends and family began to wonder. . . . "When are you going to finish your book?" they would ask. . . . Amy Bach, a lawyer and journalist living in Rochester. . . . It was an understandable question. Bach, who is 41, had begun her field reporting on the justice system in the United States in 2001. Funded in part by fellowships, she kept digging deeper and deeper as the years went by. Interviews piled on interviews; the stacks of notes got higher and higher. . . . Along the way, she learned discouraging and appalling facts. For lots of reasons, including lack of money and lack of political will, average citizens sometimes lose their basic rights when they're accused of crimes or are the victims of crimes. . . . "You don't want ordinary people to suffer day in and day out because of failures of the system," Bach says. She was onto something important, so she knew she would finish the book. "But I wanted to get it right," she adds. . . . And so she did. Encouraged by her husband and others, Bach has produced a compelling book that has drawn national media attention. . . . Published in September by Macmillan's Metropolitan Books, Ordinary Injustice: How America Holds Court tells its stories through the eyes of people caught up in, and sometimes ground down by, the judicial system. . . . In the process it questions some of our basic assumptions about the law.
Nonprofit Group Offers Free Judicial Profiles Online at Judgepedia.com By a MetNews Staff Writer, Metropolitan News-Enterprise 12-21-09 -- These days you can find just about anything online for free. No-cost maps, music, movies and books are all at the fingertips of the average Internet user. . . . But Leslie Graves, president of the Madison, Wis.-based Lucy Burns Institute, says she noticed that “there wasn’t much information freely available on the Internet” about the nation’s courts and judges. . . . She recalls trying to find information about several federal bankruptcy judges, only to find that profiles about these federal judges were not included on the Federal Judicial Center website. The same was true about federal magistrate judges. . . . “I figure[d] that lots of people would be interested in information about judges, when judges are in the news or are ruling on a case of interest,” she says. . . . And so she came up with Judgepedia.com, a user-generated encyclopedia about America’s courts and judges, which is sponsored by her organization—a nonprofit named for the co-founder of the National Woman’s Party, which identifies the compilation and creation of public resources to increase accessibility to public records as its mission. . . . “My hope was that a fair, neutral online resource about judges and courts be built—much in the same way that Ballotpedia strives to be that resource for ballot measures and WikiFOIA for state sunshine laws,” Graves said, referring to the other two sites her group runs. . . . Judgepedia has articles about all 338 state supreme court justices and courts, and more than 900 state intermediate appellate judges in the 40-some states that have an intermediate appellate court system, including California, Graves says. . . . “I thought a wiki format would be ideal since it makes it so easy to expand, improve and enrich information over time,” she explains. “It also allows co-creation and collaboration on articles, which can take the edge of any bias anyone might bring to the table.”
Irate Citizens Hi-Jack
State Legislative Hearing: Full Disclosure Network® Exclusive Video (8 min)
12-14-09 -- Full Disclosure Network®, known as "the news behind the news", has compiled an online eight minute video news report, that captured irate citizens testifying at a State Legislative hearing held on December 8, 2009. The hearing was intended to focus on "Improving Government" but instead, the video reveals growing unrest among citizens over government corruption, and in particular, Judicial corruption. Watch the 8 minute video here http://www.fulldisclosure.net/Blogs/82.php . . . Legislators and government staff comprised the hearing panel membership, and the discussion was centered on issues relating to the budgeting process. Citizens expressed frustration with the Legislators not addressing court and corruption issues. Many people testifying cited State Senate Bill SBX2 11 that granted retroactive immunity from criminal and civil prosecution for Judges, Court and (county) government officials who participated in the gift of illegal public funds to Judges as well as the Richard I. Fine contempt of court case of prominent Anti-Trust Attorney Fine who is in L.A. County Central Men's Jail since March 4, 2009, following his attempt to disqualify Judge David Yaffe who failed to disclose illegal payments from L A County, a party to the case. http://www.fulldisclosure.net/
A.G. suing Derby woman over legal work
12-14-09 -- The Kansas Attorney General's Office has filed a lawsuit against a Derby woman, claiming she gives legal advice even though she is not a lawyer. . . . Joan Heffington runs the Association for Honest Attorneys and has a Web site. . . . Assistant Attorney General Tai Vokins filed suit against Heffington and her association last week in Sedgwick County District Court. . . . "I think it's funny you should ask about that," Heffington said. "After all the lawsuits I file, you never call about those. But one is filed against me and you call." . . . Those lawsuits are the reason for the action by the Attorney General's Office. . . . Vokins claims in his petition that Heffington has helped laypeople file lawsuits and complaints in federal court against the Kansas district court and state agencies, and that she has sent demand letters to private businesses. . . . The lawsuit contends that Heffington practices law without a license. Click for: Association for Honest Attorneys
Residents: Attorney cheated us Group claims Bander Law Firm took money without solving home problems.
12-13-09 -- Dozens of homeowners claim they paid for loan litigation services with Los Angeles-based Bander Law Firm and never saw any legal action taken in their cases, causing some homes to foreclose. . . . The homeowners gathered Saturday for a news conference inside a Glendale Days Inn Motel banquet hall, where several signs calling for attorney Joel Bander’s disbarment lined on the walls. . . . Daniel De Leon said he paid the law firm $12,000 to sue his bank to lower mortgage payments on his Hesperia home. . . . But he claims the law firm never gave him updates on the status of his case until it was too late and his home was in foreclosure. . . . “What we wanted them to do is not what they are doing,” De Leon said. . . . He said he wants his money back. . . . Other homeowners at the news conference called on attorneys who are suing the law firm to give them advice on their next move. . . . “You guys have been cheated in the worst way that I could possibly imagine,” attorney Anne Singer said. “Going to a lawyer, asking for help and not only having your money being taken away from you, but many of you losing your homes, and from what I understand some of you have been put in bankruptcy without your knowledge.”
February 2009
Minnesota Legislators to Discipline Judges
2-27-09 -- Saint Paul Minnesota --In response to dozens of petitions by the citizens of the state of Minnesota, an Ad Hoc committee has been scheduled to hear the evidence of the corruption within the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Spearheaded by minority whip Rep. Dan Severson, the bipartisan joint committee will convene on March 13th, 2009 at the State Office Building at 9:00AM in room 300N. The ad hoc committee was formed because the chairs of the senate and house committees that oversee matters of the judiciary have refused to hear the citizen petitions concerning corruption in the Minnesota Judicial Branch. The evidence to be presented to the ad hoc committee is massive and includes transcripts being altered, bribery, extortion, denial of access to the Grand Jury and numerous state and federal felonies by certain district and appellate court judges. Bills of impeachment against many judges will be brought. Never before in the history of the state of Minnesota, and perhaps the nation, have the legislative committees charged with overseeing the matters in the judiciary refused to listen to the evidence of crimes being committed by judges. Article Six Section Nine of the Minnesota Constitution clearly directs it is the intent of the people for the Legislature to discipline the Judicial Branch. The courageous legislators that have agreed to participate in the Ad Hoc committee number over a dozen and more are joining as citizens from across the state meet with their legislators and encourage participation. Additionally, a press conference will be held the week of March 9th, 2009 to discuss the introduction of judicial reform bills and the agenda for the Ad Hoc committee.
Contact: Rep. Dan Severson at
651-296-7808 /
In Miss., disgruntled black and white residents
2-26-09 -- In the small town of Coldwater, Miss., a group of racially diverse protesters marched up and down a road in the cool, morning breeze on Feb. 14, demanding colorblind justice and change. . . . They want Municipal Court Judge Kenneth Stockton and prosecutor Elizabeth Paige McDowell out. They want a new Board of Aldermen and a replacement for four-term Mayor Jessie J. Edwards, an African American whom they accuse of mistreating Coldwater residents. . . . As motorists zoomed passed the spectacle on Highway 51, several honked their horn to indicate support for the 25 people calling for change and holding placards with slogans such as “United for Change,” “In God We Trust,” and “Yes We Can,” President Barack Obama’s mantra. . . . Their cry for change was first heard in the town of 1,700 residents — 70 percent of whom are African Americans — after day care owner Carolyn McDale was convicted in municipal court for assaulting one of her clients last October. . . . McDale, who is African American, is appealing the case. In the meantime, she collected 600 signatures on a petition to remove the judge and prosecutor, both of whom are white. . . . “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that we have a lot of issues in this town,” said McDale, who organized the rally to call attention to what she refers to as a “broken” judicial system, an “abusive” police department, and an “insensitive” mayor. . . . Lillie Merriweather was the second name on the petition. She joined the rally to support McDale’s call for change. “I’m here for a change,” said the 40-year resident of Coldwater. “We need equality and justice.”
Public Committee on Attorney Conduct Asks Immediate Congressional Hearings into Actions of Federal Judges Blocking Series of Cases Against New York Bar Disciplinary Committee PCAC Calls Actions of Federal District Court Judges Shira Sheindlin and Thomas P. Griesa Derailing Series of Citizen Lawsuits Against New York Bar Review Committee Blatant Attempts to Cover-Up Official Corruption
8-24-08 -- Public Committee on Attorney Conduct (PCAC) has issued an immediate call for Congressional Hearings to review the concerted actions of federal District Court judges designed to shut down lawsuits charging New York Appellate Division Bar Disciplinary Committee with official corruption. PCAC was recently established through the combined efforts of Litigation Recovery Trust (LRT), a New York based rights administration organization, and Integrity in the Courts, and Expose Corrupt Courts, two Internet blogs focused on judicial and attorney disciplinary processes and procedures. The objective of the new organization is to assist in replacing the existing New York State Attorney Grievance Committees with a body controlled by non-attorneys . The PCAC is headquartered in New York City. PCAC has issued the following statement in response to the recent federal court actions : Public Committee on Attorney Conduct (PCAC) requests that the United States Senate and House Judiciary Committees and the U.S. Judicial Conference undertake an immediate review of the actions of Federal District Court Judges Thomas P. Griesa and Shira Sheindlin in blocking a series of citizen lawsuits charging the New York State Bar Disciplinary Committee with official corruption. The series of court actions showed clear evidence of corruption of the Departmental Disciplinary Committee in covering up the criminal and ethical violations of attorneys by disregarding allegations ranging from concealment of evidence, obstruction of justice, sexual assault by attorneys, pilfering of estates by attorneys, abuse of power, conspiracy and repeated violations of Constitutional rights. The judges in question halted the series of citizen lawsuits without benefit of hearing, and in some cases without reviewing the plaintiffs’ pleadings. PCAC asks the Senate and House Judiciary Committees to call immediate hearings to review the actions of federal judges in New York designed to frustrate citizen efforts to hold court officials to account for a continuing pattern of corruption and illegal activities. In announcing the issuance of the Committee’s statement, John T. Whitely, Chairman of the PCAC Organizing Committee, stated, “We now see that the bench- bar power structure in New York State is hard at work drawing up the wagons to defeat citizen efforts seeking a wide ranging reform that is long overdue. The most recent actions of federal judges using their authority to deny plaintiffs their day in court seeking to expose a continuing pattern of official corruption cannot be permitted. It is now time for the Congress to get involved in this critical court reform process. “ Full statements of the PCAC founding members will be made available at www.pcac.8k.com. Public Committee on Attorney Conduct has been organized to review both past and present cases brought before the New York State grievance committees to provide an independent review and analysis of attorney complaints, and issue proposed findings. With respect to past cases, the PCAC is particularly interested in hearing from persons who maintain that they have been treated unfairly and unjustly by the disciplinary committees. As part of its initial efforts, the new committee is seeking documentation of all complaints against attorneys dating to January 1, 1988. PCAC represents the first bar review mechanism in the United States made up entirely of non-attorneys. Since news of the formation of the PCAC was first made public on June 17, 2008, individual complainants have begun submitting requests to the committee to review both past and current matters before the New York State grievance committees. #### For additional information please contact: John T. Whitely, Chairman Executive Search Committee Public Committee on Attorney Conduct 515 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022 Telephone 347-632-9775 / E-mail: pcacinformation@gmail.com
Common Cause of R.I. weighs in on letters about judicial nominees
8-15-08 -- The government watchdog group Common Cause of Rhode Island weighed in this week in favor of maintaining public access to the letters that are submitted to the Judicial Nominating Commission about finalists for state judgeships. . . . The commission, which recommends finalists for all state judgeships, wants to keep those letters secret, and it has asked Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch to confirm its interpretation of the Access to Public Records Act. . . . The commission asked for Lynch’s opinion following an inquiry by The Providence Journal, which is seeking access to letters either for or against eight finalists for a Superior Court vacancy. March 2008
7-6-09 -- UPDATE: Texans For Public Justice incorrectly reported that Justice Scott Brister failed to itemize $6,805 in reimbursements that he received from his campaign account in late 2003. Justice Brister did in fact itemize those reimbursements on a separate Texas Ethics Commission form designated for that purpose. This post has been updated to reflect that. . . . A new study of political expenditures by the Texas Supreme Court’s nine sitting justices found evidence that two additional court members may have violated campaign laws that prohibit politicians from tapping political funds for their personal use. Texans For Public Justice’s new report, Supreme Spending: Political Expenditures by Texas’ High-Court Justices, analyzes the $6.9 million in political funds that the court’s nine current justices spent between January 2001 and July 2007. . . . Supreme Spending found that Justice Dale Wainwright, who was elected to the high court in November 2002, reported spending more than $7,000 in political funds to pay rent and utilities in conjunction with an apparent 2003 residence he maintained at the Gables at Town Lake, a luxury apartment development in Austin. Texas election law expressly prohibits judges from paying living expenses out of political funds. . . . Austin-based Texas Watch filed complaints in January urging the Texas Ethics Commission to determine if three other justices tapped political funds for their personal use. Disclosures filed by Justices Paul Green, Nathan Hecht and David Medina raise disturbing questions about whether these officials used political funds to pay their personal travel expenses. http://www.tpj.org/reports/supremespending/index (For full report)
Attack ad criticized for misleading public
03-19-08 -- A citizen advocacy group denounces advertisements in the race for Supreme Court, and demands an investigation. . . . Citizen Action of Wisconsin is calling on the Wisconsin Judicial Commission to investigate Supreme Court candidate Mike Gableman's campaign for violating the Code of Judicial Conduct. . . . "We believe that the latest ad by Judge Gableman in the Supreme Court race actually violates the Judicial Code of Ethics in several important ways." . . . Robert Kraig, Director of Program for the 90-thousand member statewide group, says the Gableman campaign uses the attack ad (against Justice Louis Butler) to mislead and confuse the public. Kraig says if Gableman would do such a thing merely for political gain, imagine what the judge would do on the bench. . . . "The Judicial Code of Ethics says that you cannot make false statements about other candidates for court, and we believe that happened in the case; and you also can't deliberately cause public confusion about the judiciary, you have the legal system. And we believe the ad does that as well." . . . The public is used to attack ads containing misleading information, but Kraig says judges are different. February 2008 Juli Alexander, Executive Director of Redress, Inc. on video YOUR HONOR? (You Tube video) Juli Alexander, Executive Director of Redress, Inc. candidly discusses the present condition of the American judicial system. Examples of life destroying decisions void of common sense, morality and law handed down by judges are cited. The newest malady evolving from courtroom encounters called "Legal Abuse Syndrome" is explained. The accountability, qualifications and even the sanity of some judges are questioned and with good reason. The self policing or rather non-policing of judges is discussed and questioned. The fact that many actions have now been undertaken by judicial officers to protect themselves from the very people that they are sworn to protect is offered as a prime example of their fear of retaliation by those they "judge." The phenomenon of "power addiction" is also introduced. Don't let yourself become the next court room victim leaving a hearing wondering what happened to justice. See and hear what Juli has to say. One Hour $10 (+$.75 shipping)for studio quality DVD. Make copies for every American you know! http://www.libertyandjusticeforall.tv... |
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