"More Bad Judges"
Thursday, January 8, 2004 at 12:41PM Jack Newfield of The Nation has a piece about the Bush administration's latest crop of federal judicial nominees. Needless to say, he does not approve, concluding:
Bush is trying to transform America through lifetime judicial appointments for this biased batch and their clones. The bottom line is that the reckless Bushies are willing to violate computer privacy and vandalize the Bill of Rights to expedite this transformation. George W. Bush was appointed President by the Supreme Court after losing the popular vote by more than 500,000. Now he is trying to use the courts to legislate a mandate the voters never gave him by abusing the power of appointment and ignoring the Constitution's "advise and consent" clause.
You can read the whole thing here. (via How Appealing)
Reader Comments (796)
I just sat through a family court case, where the Defendant was 'Ordered to Appear and show evidence'. What a joke.... it should have been'Ordered to appear and keep your mouth shut'.
I realize that the system is backed up, and there is no way to hear each case. But I had to try and keep believing the system is there for the greater good, and someday maybe some one will figure out how to get 'justice' back into the courts.{hence RCG}
A few things I have learned dealing with the family courts in Reno; it doesn't matter what the written law is, unless the group of people who sit the benches actually start to care about enforcing them, they are useless!
Until the state of Nevada starts actually doing something about the people who stand in front of the courts and perjure themselves or even commit blatant fraud, it is only going to further decay the system.
Until the courts are willing to actually hear both sides of the story or even pretend to be interested in weighing the merits of what each party has to say, the system is useless.
I have to say I was deeply shocked and totally appalled when I listened to the attorney try to explain to the courts, {who was suppose to be 'weighing the evidence' and 'deciding' which party was in contempt or why they didn't feel as though they had done anything wrong'} Your honor the judgments awarded were based on fraud, and the Plaintiff's own evidence clearly shows...
I about fell of my chair when I heard this person in charge of making a unbiased and informed decision cut off the attorney mid-sentence and say "I DON'T CARE, your client is in contempt and will pay".......
That one sentence said it all! It does not matter who you vote to sit on the bench, it is only a show. They really don't care that they have been lied to, or the system is being used for the sole purpose of destroying ones ex-partner. I really doesn't matter that they took an oath to uphold the law.
It doesn't matter that they have been given the power to rule on someones life and if they made a mistake in a ruling {because they were unaware of all the facts}. It doesn't matter that they have also been given the same power to fix that mistake, when it is brought to their attention.
IMO they need to take alot of the rules off the books in your state... beginning with NRCP 60, because even thought it states "that at any time fraud has been committed upon the courts, the courts have the right to rehear the matter" What is the point if "they don't care"?
Weather or not these "judges" even remember that they are there to up hold the laws and to insure that the person who is in the wrong is being held responsible for their actions, one little statement absolutely gave these people the green light to continue to lie, cheat and steal {fraud}, with the courts blessing!
This has nothing to do with money or needing to pay for things for your child and taking on the responsibility for bringing a child into this world.
What I see is a system that continues to allow unjust things happen, and I for one know for a fact there are two sweet little children who are the ones who have suffered this little circus!
I am not looking for anyone to see my side or even respond, I just needed a place to state what I have seen and heard.
Thank heavens I was just an observer, but it is very sad to watch a really wonderful person be destroyed. As I am sure happens time and time again in family courts!
Maybe if the courts would make an example of just one person who has used and abused the system, or the DA's office would try and punish just one person for perjury and fraud... the courts wouldn't be sucked in by BS........Oh well it's a wonderful unrealistic thought.
No, don't blame the courts, blame the two individuals who decide to marry and bring kids into the world, then decide it's all about them and they need to do whatever it takes to make themselves content and happy, and as a result the children suffer.
I guess I just can't see the point in the courts making specific Orders, and then refusing to enforce them.
The Defendant of whom I wrote about happens to have found out the person who bore his children, happens to be still very legally married. All the while lying through their teeth for several years, when the truth came out, kicked the Defendant out!
He is the one who requested to have the children's paternity filed with the courts in order to SUPPORT them!
It is not about pissing and whinning 'poor me', it is about the children. How do you think they will feel in a few more years when they realize, they were used as pawns! That they are not truly wanted {letters and tape recorded} that their only function in this nasty little world is to make mommy money!
If I remember some of your posts {I maybe wrong} but you have managed to get through your own problems and have a wonderful family!
Pray you don't wake up one day and everything you believed turned out to be a lie! That your spouse is not really, because they are still married to someone else, and all the things you have worked and saved for is gone, because your spouse stole/hide it all.
I hope you never find out that everything you thought your life had been, was just a nasty little mind game, planned out because you had the potential to give this person all their dreams on a silver platter!
Maybe, I am wrong... it is not the system that has failed. Maybe I only heard the courts say I don't care if the Plaintiff has commited fraud or presents fraudulent bills...
I just have to ask, since you don't think it is the system that is at fault, could you PLEASE explain to me why the court bothers to waste time and paper making Orders if they have no plans to enforce them?
Oh true story, not because the courts allowed the fraud to escape them or anything like that, the Plaintiff has managed to again get rewarded for fraudulent bills, several thousands of dollars. Of course it isn't going to the children or their needs! LOL, But it isn't the system that failed!
You are partially correct, about people atleast. My parents divorced when I was young and to this day my mother and father still complain about the things they didnt get in the divorce. People do always want what they cant get to help themselves and this is horrible and selfish, but the system has done nothing but perputuate this. When a parent has proof that the other lied or their lawyer lied for their benefit and the judge denies to hear it, how is that in the best interest of the child. What about denying to hear witnesses against the parent who has custody for sexual abuse, then returns the child to that parent? (As per the Michael Small case) Is that in the best interest of the child, was that really ruling within the law to keep all parties involved protected? Why do the courts grant so much money to one party when the other, who has joint custody, nothing to live off? Yes, this is greed by one parent but on the other hand the judge should make a judgement that allows both parents to provide for not only themself but their child also.Parents do need to wake up and start thinking that they are not the only one at stake here, but the family courts need to wake up and realize that people always have been and always will be greedy and they need to rule based on law, not emotion or in favor of the attorney who donated to their campaign fund.
Mark S.
I have looked over all the posts, and unless I have missed it, other than your parents divorce of which you mentioned, I see no other personal referance to your experiences. It is commendable you fight so hard for the rights of children, as we all should.
It appears to me that you can be very judgmental and tell people where they have failed. But as the saying goes.... until you have walked a mile in thier shoes... In some cases the families staying together, could be even more horrific if they don't.
Not every person shows their true self when they start a relationship, now do they? Some people are very good at hiding things.
Maybe if you had more insight into some of these peoples cases, the documents of lies, fraud, contempt and such and YOU were in thier position, you would feel the frustration and anger they feel.
Maybe everything works out for you in your relationship with your spouse, but what if your life wasn't all good? Say if you spouse cheated, molested your boys, drank, drugged and beat you all the while stealing you blind, wouldn't you want the courts to hear your side and see all your evidence?
What if your boys were being molested and the courts refused to hear your testimony? Wouldn't you be upset or angry KNOWING your children were in danger and the courts didn't care? How would you feel if s/he got the boys?
What if s/he was making making money hand over fist and hiding it, while you struggle to just eat/get by? But the courts refuse to hear how, the ex is spending the money on toys for themselves, plastic surgery, the newest girl/boyfriend, ectra, all while the children were getting cloths from the schools abandoned/lost box, because CP spent THIER CHILD SUPPORT on THEMSELVES.
I could continue to go on about some of the more horrible cases I have seen, but I have went on to long and I realize that there really is no point.
Sundown seems to have a good life, but unfortunately she is very judgemental and not at all compassionate to anyone's plight other than her own.
You are exactly right. There are all too many cases where it's not simply about two adults who cannot get along. In those case, it is about one adult and one mean, deceitful person who's only goal is to make everything as difficult as possible, regardless of the who suffers the consequences.
In those situations, the courts as they are serve only to inflame an already volatile situation. The courts become self-serving by perpetuating more legal fees and more court room visits.
Those are the cases that need the guidance of the family court system and where the family court fails all too many times.
I can understand that the court cannot sit down and hash out the finer points of every families situation, but they do need to set up something to where people can get help with that; if nothing else, to create a set of ground rules for each family to follow.
Mostly, divorce needs to stop being a win-lose situation; it needs to become a win-win situation. As long as it remains a win-lose proposition, the kids will forever be the ones ending up on the losing end of the deal.
So far in my search there seems to be no place for this. Instead there are Orders handed down and then you have to pay someone to try and enforce them for you, if you can afford it.Back to court, more money taken away from the children and their needs. Very difficult when so many are trying to do the right thing and living hand to mouth.
It is a cycle that needs to stop. When there are Orders given, they also need to be enforced by those who hand them down. I can not help but believe that if this was done, the BS would stop or at the very least slow down. Let's be serious this is the reason these people are in court, they can't agree!It is not ironic that in most cases it is the person who is in the wrong, that can afford the better attorney? And the parent who is doing what they are suppose to, is the one who is kept financially broke, while the children pay the price.
I keep thinking when reading some of the post, if these were criminal cases the criminals would be running the streets while the victims sit behind bars. The condisending attitudes given by those who have not been dealt these hands, only make matters worse. I agree that people should be more careful before they have children with someone. But as Rose Colored Glasses has said, what you think your relationship is, doesn't always turn out to be fact.
I have been on both sides of the coin, waiting to get the check. Never once did I ever use my childs support for anything other than to pay for a roof over her head food in her stomach or her needs. Yes I wanted to get her braces and other extras, but I couldn't afford to. It did not change the wonderful person she is today. But she never went hungry, nor without clothes or a place to live. If there were things my child wanted, I would work extra hours, or cut my budget.I found other ways, and it made me feel good about what I could do for my child! Not take her father to court, if he couldn't afford to send the support on time, why would I ask for extras?
Now I am on the sending end, making sure my step children get their support every month. I am smart enough to know the money is not used for the children, but that is not my concern. What she spends the money on is her business. Paying to support them, is only right.
I understand the frustration of these people who have specific Orders to follow and then end up paying up or loosing everything or even going to jail for contempt. I realize there are deadbeat parents all over the place, but it appears to me the ones who have bothered to post here are not in that catagory, they do care and are trying to do what is right! It is bad enough the courts won't hear them, but to have a stranger degrade them on a website is just plain wrong.
One of the things that has been the most difficult for me to come to terms with--more than hiding, continually surrounded by SWAT men; more than rushing to the hospital, all of us crouched on the floor of the car; more than later realizing that Mack could have easily put a bomb on our car too, and we would have all blown up while crying and rushing to my dad's hospital bedside--is that Mack didn't care about me. Not at one point did he think about how my life would be changed. I had just graduated high school three days prior. I was going to go on a senior trip, I was going to get a job and move out. Suddenly, I was rocking back and forth in the ICU, not knowing if Mack was ever going to be caught, not knowing if I would be able to attend college in the fall, not knowing if I would have to assume a different name and forget that this life, that I had ever existed. Not knowing if my dad would survive. Even now, months later, life has not returned to normal. It is hard to come to terms with the fact that someone tried to kill your father. I was formerly gung-ho about independence--now I'm scared to live in the dorms at my college. I keep thinking: what if someone tries to hurt my father through me? I've already seen that people this deranged have no care about the lives they ruin in the process of achieving whatever twisted goal they have in mind.I go through depressions. I go through phases of paranoia. My world will take years to get back together, and even now I'm not sure if that will require just moving away and burying this chapter forever.
Darren Mack ruined my life, and I didn't do anything to him. I never saw his face. I never spoke to him. I never even cut him off in traffic accidentally. I didn't do anything to deserve what he did to me. And if you think that's justice, and that what he did is somehow more pure than the convoluted court system: you're wrong. He was just as callous and uncaring as some of you have painted my father to be. He decided my future without even looking at it. He decided our hospital bills without even seeing our salaries.
He was shooting to kill. He was essentially deciding a custody case: the rest of my life with my mom, no visitation. He didn't care.
How can that make him a hero for fathers everywhere? If the court system has screwed you over, I am sincerely sorry. But how can you support killing my dad? Whatever he's done to you in the courtroom might be difficult to appeal. But his death wouldn't be the answer. And it wouldn't ever go up for appeal. It would be a sentence that I would live with for the rest of my life--and none of you even have any paperwork to consult.
I understand that people get angry, but this act was not justified. My father did not "have it coming." No one deserves to go through the Hell I've been through since this happened. I pray for Mack's children, now parentless. How will they live out the rest of their lives with their father in jail for killing their mother? I'm sure they miss her. I can't even imagine what would have happened if my father had been killed too. I might be "lucky," but if having a man whose leering face to this day haunts my dreams shoot my dad is lucky, I don't want any of it.
Me judtmental? When I see children suffer, I judge their parents. Why? Because they are selfish and immature. It's all about the parents, isn't it?
Yeah, I live a good life. My family lives a good life. But I feel for children who suffer because their parents won't grow up. One parents says the other molested them, the other denies it. Obviously someone IS lying here. Don't blame me.
THAT'S RIGHT.
In what capacity have you had to deal with the family court system, if any?
NONE, THANK GOD!
You seem to not understand what any of these people have posted concerning WHAT THEY have dealt with.
WHAT IS THERE TO UNDERSTAND? IT'S APPARENT THAT ONE PARENT IS SO SELF-CENTERED AS TO SCREW UP THEIR FAMILY'S LIFE BECAUSE THEY FEEL THE GRASS IS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE.
I have looked over all the posts, and unless I have missed it, other than your parents divorce of which you mentioned, I see no other personal referance to your experiences. It is commendable you fight so hard for the rights of children, as we all should.
CORRECTION. MY PARENTS NEVER DIVORCED, THEY WERE MARRIED FOR OVER 50 YEARS. HOW LONG CAN COUPLES TODAY LAST THAT LONG? HARDLY ANY!
It appears to me that you can be very judgmental and tell people where they have failed.
OH, GEE. I'M NOT SCREWING UP THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES, AM I?
But as the saying goes.... until you have walked a mile in thier shoes...
THANK GOD I DON'T. BUT THEN I LIVE A SIMPLE LIFE WHERE MY CHILDREN LOVE ME AND NOT WORRY THAT I WILL WALK OUT ON THEM.
In some cases the families staying together, could be even more horrific if they don't.
THAT IS UP TO MOM AND DAD TO FIX THINGS FOR THEIR KID'S SAKE. OF COURSE THAT IS IN A PERFECT WORLD, AND IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK OUT THAT WAY.
Not every person shows their true self when they start a relationship, now do they?
NO THEY DON'T. SO WHY DO YOU TRUST?
Some people are very good at hiding things.Maybe if you had more insight into some of these peoples cases, the documents of lies, fraud, contempt and such and YOU were in thier position, you would feel the frustration and anger they feel.
I AM VERY AWARE OF THE CRAP SOME PEOPLE FLING, AND BELIEVE ME, THEY ARE VERY IMMATURE.
Maybe everything works out for you in your relationship with your spouse, but what if your life wasn't all good?
NO LIFE IS PERFECT. WHO SAID IT WAS?
Say if you spouse cheated, molested your boys, drank, drugged and beat you all the while stealing you blind, wouldn't you want the courts to hear your side and see all your evidence?
SORRY, I MARRIED SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T DO THAT KIND OF STUFF. MAYBE SOME PEOPLE SHOULD INVESTIGATE THEIR S/O THOROUGHLY BEFORE COMMITTING TO THEM.
What if your boys were being molested and the courts refused to hear your testimony? Wouldn't you be upset or angry KNOWING your children were in danger and the courts didn't care? How would you feel if s/he got the boys?
I LIVE A HONEST LIFE, SO DOES MY FAMILY.
IN OTHER WORDS -- NO SCANDAL HERE!
What if s/he was making making money hand over fist and hiding it, while you struggle to just eat/get by?
NOT MY SITUATION.
But the courts refuse to hear how, the ex is spending the money on toys for themselves, plastic surgery,
LOL!
the newest girl/boyfriend,
LOL!
ectra, all while the children were getting cloths from the schools abandoned/lost box, because CP spent THIER CHILD SUPPORT on THEMSELVES.
NEVER IN THIS FAMILY.
I could continue to go on about some of the more horrible cases I have seen, but I have went on to long and I realize that there really is no point.
TOO BAD YOU HAVE TO GO THRU THAT CRAP. I KNOW A FAMILY FIRSTHAND THAT WENT THRU EVERYTHING YOU MENTIONED. I DON'T ENVY THEM!
Although I do not condon the actions of whomever pulled the trigger for the bullet that hit your father. Nor do I condon murdering the mother of your child if she is innocent. But I also do not condon the ruining of so many lives through absolute power granted by the state. Have you ever wondered that maybe if your father had ruled based on law, been unbiased, and not ruled in favor of the attorneys that donated to his campaign fund that none of this would have happened.How is it that people forget Darren went through a divorce before and none of this happened. Two things changed from the previous divorce and this one, Charla and Judge Weller. Why is it that Darren was not the only one who had a complaint of your dad not judging based on rule of law. And why is Darren being talked about as the one who shot your father when there has been no conclusive evidence to link him to the shooting. I guess bad judgements run in the family, isnt this how your fathers courtroom works, a man is guilty until proven innocent?I hope that you do not misunderstand my intentions, the events of June 12th were more than tragic, they are unspeakable. I would never wish harm to any of the families involved and especially innocent people whose lives have been ruined by this, and I am sorry for the troubles you have been through, I will never understand them but I will always wish you the best. But as I am sorry for the troubles you and your family has been through I am sorry for the troubles of Darren Mack and the two families involved on that side also. Darren is a great man, one that before all of this, any person would look up to, Darren did things for people that some of us would never even consider, and he did it for the right reasons. We all have our faults and make our mistakes, but we will never know what actually happened in that garage that day except Darren, Charla and God.
Mark S.
*Get what? Adults who can’t grow up and face parental responsibility? Nope, I don’t get that.*
Just Had to Comment's post to you was to open your eyes to the real world- a world much larger than the little cocoon you obviously limit yourself to.
*You tell me what is real. I’ll tell you what is real too. I’ve seen and heard about too many families break up as a result of selfishness, ignorance and immaturity. And who suffers is the innocent children. So they face a judge to fight over custody because it’s all about them, not the children they are ruining for life. Then the judge is blamed for ruining their lives.*
And, all you can do is give dumb-a** replies.
*You can always stop reading them.*
You are about as self-centered, self-righteous, uncompassionate and ignorant as they come.You seem to think that you are invincible.Has the phrase, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." ever occurred to you?Probably not. That would require thinking skills.
*Wow. Sounds to me you I hit a nerve. Did you come from a broken family? Do you know who your father is? Did your parents divorce? I’m sorry you feel that way but I believe you’re attacking my replies, because there may be some truth in what I say. Have a nice day.*
These illegal rulings are still going on.. going against the law!!! It's sad that Nevada didn't learn it's lesson. When are these Judges going to be investigated!!!!! Judges here feel they can do whatever they want even when it is without a doubt against the law. It costs tens of thousands to undue the corrupt rulings and fight against it. It is these Judges who are the criminals! They are the criminals affecting thousands of people over the years. They should just simply follow the LAW!!!!
Corrupt Judges in Washoe, Carson City, Lyon, Story, Douglas county - They all need to be investigated!
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6 years have passed since a Reno Judge was shot in Reno, NV. It appeared that after the shooting, the Judge tried to repair his reputation for being a corrupt and unfair Judge. Well BEWARE people! He is up to his old antics and inflated ego!
During my hearing, my ex admitted to domestic violence against me, using drugs, drinking while driving with our children, taking our children with her when she was having one-night stands, leaving our children with strange people, having a surgery done on our child without my consent, screaming profanities during child exchanges and refusal to pay her share of court ordered medical expenses and forbidding our children to acknowledge me during her custody time, filing false CPS reports and making up false allegations in order to get the police to come to my home.
Guess what the Judge did??? He punished me!!! He told my ex that her conduct was ok because she's single. I am not allowed to act as a father and inquire about medical, school or safety issues when it is her custodial time. He also refused to listen to witnesses. When the Judge was making his ruling - there were 5 occasions when he misquoted what I had testified to. When my attorney pointed it out to him, he shrugged his shoulders and admitted, "Well maybe I misunderstood". To make matters worse, the Judge said I did not "prove" my case. My attorney informed the Judge to look at the evidence before him (3 binders of emails, tape recordings, pictures, doctors statements, teachers statements, counselor statements). The Judge responded, "I don't have time to look at the evidence." He continued with his ruling.
WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP THAT WAS!!! Well Good Job Judge. Thank you for sending the message that it is ok to do drugs and have multiple sexual partners to my 7 and 8 year old children. I hope your proud of yourself. That Judge does NOT care about the best interest of the child.
I am responding to the person that named themselves...Rather Notsay. If anyone would like to know the whole truth of what happened in the October hearing please contact me. I purchased the DVD video of my court hearing. Please stop the lies Rather Notsay. He is a Reno Cop and his current wife retired last year from family court she was a Bailiff in family court. She was not his regular bailiff but she did fill in when needed. I also have facts to show that they socialized together and with my kids. I just found this out. I had another court hearing on April 3rd 2013. Chuck weller took my kids from me for no reason at all! Every time I SHOWED him my facts he would say he doesn't understand. I had 997 pages of harassment facts and he wouldn't listen to me. Fours years I have been harassed by RPD and the ex! Every other weekend I get to have my kids and only talk to them M-Thurs from 7-8. If you would like to know the truth and more because it is very twisted contact me. Now reading these stories I don't feel so alone! If anyone knows where I can get my voice heard please contact me. I have already hired a Lawyer to appeal this unbelievable crazy horrible order he has put in place for my beautiful kids! I am disgusted with judge weller. Your absolutely right Rather Notsay....chuck weller does Not have the best interest of the children in mind!