Apr 03 2009
Restoring Confidence in the Judiciary
In a commentary piece (subscription required) in the Legal Intelligencer and the Patriot-News, Chief Justice Castille highlights the Court’s dedication to restoring confidence in the justice system following the scandal in Luzerne County.
The Chief Justice writes:
As leader of the Pennsylvania court system, my top goal is for the citizens of this commonwealth to trust their judges and for judges at every level to deserve that trust. It is of the utmost importance for any individual who faces any judge in a courtroom to have confidence that he or she will be treated fairly, and for all Pennsylvanians to have that same sense of confidence, because a sound court system is essential to our system of government — and to our very freedom. How do judges earn the confidence of the citizens? We expect judges to be fair and impartial. We expect judges to be unaffected by either side or by outside influence. We expect that judges will not favor the strong over the weak or the rich over the poor. Above all, we expect judges to adhere to their oaths of office.
The Chief Justice goes on to outline steps taken to date to rectify the problems in Luzerne and to restore the public’s confidence. He notes the work is ongoing and pledges that the Court “will do all in its power to ensure that justice is done fairly and honestly in Luzerne County and in every courtroom in this commonwealth every day.”
This is good news, and we applaud the Chief Justice and the entire Court for acknowledging that even an isolated scandal taints the entire judiciary. The Chief Justice’s quote from Henry Ward Beecher highlights this: “‘Take all of the robes of all of the good judges who have ever lived on the face of the earth and they would not be large enough to cover the iniquity of one corrupt judge.’”
Tags: Chief Justice Castille, Judges, Luzerne County
Entries RSS
When I read this Patriot News article, the previous day I had all but given up hope. I have been fighting endlessly for four years to be construed as a nut case, mental case, liar and any other thing(s) that can completely take every ounce of your self esteem away. I even was told by an employee of the Cumberland County Courts “Don’t Fight City Hall!” That was two days before this article and that was what gave me the strength to continue on. I do believe that we have a good judicial system; however, like Christianity, it is the moral humanity that corrupts it. I have written to every legislative person I could find to get help and explain how the system (especially specific judges, which of course were always assigned to my case(s)) were NOT IMPARTIAL. Some have resplied to me, only to indicate that I can only deal with my local representative and said they would forward my information to them. I FINALLY heard from her, to be advised that she contacted the Executive Director of our local mental health. I try to understand why she would only look at that (because prior to explaining my story, I indicated that what has happened to me, anyone that is weaker than myself, would cause the horrendous happenings in society like Columbine, mass murder/suicide, etc. So I guess that I should be grateful she was concerned. I did receive a call from Crisis and after 40 minutes of me explaining to them how this all came about, two things came out…first, they were never told the rest of the story and secondly, I said that with that call being made, I am half afraid that a police car and ambulance will be arriving at my front door to lock me up in a psych ward. They assured me that they felt there was no cause for this and realize that it is the judicial system and judges that are frustrating me and I look at things from both sides of the coin. She told me to continue to fight and she would keep me in her prayers. The very next day, the Patriot News came up with the “Courtroom Trust: Something our citizens deserve” article. I felt this article was meant just for me and plan on contacting Honorable Castille (and I love the word Honorable before these people, hoping and praying that they take that title literally to heart) and seeing if he means what he says and will help me. I would also like to have my story told to the world because the professionals and everyday people are completely complexed and in disbelief. If anyone can help me share my story to get this to end, please let me know.
One has to ask the question: Where has Justice Castille been? For years many, many, individuals in PA and every other state have been abused by arrogant, bully and craven judges. Ciavarella’s abuse of these children is only the lastest, and look how long and wide it was? Again, Where was Castille and his cronies?
The federal system is even worse. Do an internet search on USDC judges Kent, Nottingham, Perteous and Real.
The place to start reform and accountability of the judiciary is to get rid of the bogus, fraudulent and indefensible doctrine of absolute judicial immunity – that covers even corrupt and mallicous acts. This judicially created doctrine goes against “We the People”, has no Constitutional basis/authority and violates the doctrine of separation of powers – the so-called checks & balances. See Justice William Douglas’ lone dissent in Pierson v. Ray, 386 U.S. 547, 558 (1967), that totally debunks any and all pretense to justify this despicable doctrine. Yet see Stump v. Sparkman, 435 U.S. 349 (1978) that expanded the evil doctrine going so far as to shield a judge ordering eugenics; however see the underlying appellate decision Sparkman v. McFarlin, 552 F,2d 172 (7th Cir. 1977), where the justices were repulsed by so-called judge Sparkman’s tyranny and voted 3/0 to deny him immunity.
Individual responsibility and accountability must be restored.
Otherwise, Castille is just dishing out another crap sandwich.
“It is of the utmost importance for any individual who faces any judge in a courtroom to have confidence that he or she will be treated fairly, and for all Pennsylvanians to have that same sense of confidence, because a sound court system is essential to our system of government — and to our very freedom. How do judges earn the confidence of the citizens? We expect judges to be fair and impartial. We expect judges to be unaffected by either side or by outside influence. We expect that judges will not favor the strong over the weak or the rich over the poor. Above all, we expect judges to adhere to their oaths of office.” Judge Castille
Your Honor, If you truly mean what you say, I have a story you will want to hear. I know practically nothing about the law, but I know what tyranny is. I know what a bully is. I know what “fair” looks like. My experience in a Pennsylvania Court was revolting.