Judges refuse to show up to public hearing discussing court problems and abuses

It has been said that Marin Court critics undermine confidence in the judiciary process, but the truth is that corrupt practices by the judges and DA is what undermines the publics trust in them.

For many years Marin County judges have refused to address problems parents have faced in the family court, showing their ongoing bias and arrogant disregard for the law and Constitutional Rights. Victims of these judicial abuses are not going to be silenced. Failing to show up to hear what the public and professionals have to say about it, is just another example of the ongoing presumption that they can get away with any behavior they so chose, even if it is illegal. Valerie

Marin Independent Journal article of Sept 29, 2006
http://www.marinij.com/marin/ci_4416713


Judges, court officials skip forum
Nancy Isles Nation

Founders of a nonprofit organization determined to bring accountability to the Marin courts want judicial officials to pay attention to concerns of the public - even if they choose not to participate in public forums.

At a meeting Wednesday, a panel of legal experts assembled by the Center for Judicial Excellence discussed the county courts and what residents can do to assure fair treatment in the legal system.

An audience of about 150 learned that judges and court personnel invited to attend the forum chose not to - and panelists noted their absence.

"I would imagine they are going to hear about it," said Alameda Superior Court Judge Kevin Murphy of Mill Valley. "They are going to be aware of it. The fact that you are talking about it if it doesn't get their attention, they will hear about it."

Panelist Victoria Henley, director of the California Commission on Judicial Excellence, said judicial officers often have concerns about making comments in public.

"The judicial code prevents judges from being involved with public clamor," Henley said. "Collaboration is a very recent phenomenon."

Collaboration is just what the Center for Judicial Excellence has in mind. The recently formed organization has gathered public documents, including a 2002 audit of the Marin Superior Court that included critical observations about its operations.

Questions from the audience included one on a sensitive subject in Marin -a concern that judges favor men in child custody cases even if the wife asserts that her husband is a batterer. Fairfax Town Councilwoman Mary Ann Maggiore submitted a question on the topic.

Judge Murphy said that in Alameda County, batterers do not receive favorable treatment and that prosecutors and judges take domestic violence seriously.

Panelist Barbara Kauffman, a Marin family-law attorney, asserted that is not the case in Marin.

"In the family law system, it's not treated as a crime, it's treated as a family matter," Kauffman said, adding that advisers routinely order joint custody to batterers. "It's a problem in Marin, I have to say."

Kauffman suggested that anyone entering the family-law court with claims of domestic violence seek assistance from advocacy groups such as Marin Abused Women's Services.

Kauffman also suggested that litigants look into public disclosures by judges so they know which lawyers have contributed to their election campaigns and where they have financial interests.

Henley was asked whether the California Commission on Judicial Excellence had disciplined a Marin judge - but said she could not say whether any had been sanctioned privately.

"I am not aware of any public discipline in the last 10 years," Henley added.

Contact Nancy Isles Nation via e-mail at civiccenter@neteze.com