Can A Kleptocratic Court Conceal Its Own Wrongdoing by Denying a FOIA Request?

“(c) Whoever corruptly–

(1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the object’s integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or

(2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so,

shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.”

– 18 U.S.C.A. § 1512 (West)

This writer is having a heck of a time obtaining an audio recording of three hearings presided over by Judge Susan K. Weaver of Arkansas Circuit Court.

The recordings, taken with the official transcript created by Court Reporter Jana Perry, are evidence that I want to use in several proceedings.

Judges have absolute judicial immunity against civil liability for any act taken with jurisdiction from the bench. Thus far they have not bestowed immunity from criminal prosecution on themselves. But Judge Weaver and her ilk may be working on that right now.