Baby’s Mother Complains that Judge Susan Weaver Failed to Place Her Son with Family
Dependency Court is the closest thing to a Star Chamber that you can find in the United States.
It is difficult to verify complaints against judicial officers because the dockets on the cases are sealed.
One mother spoke to me about her son being taken from her, her parental rights terminated and instead of placing the child with a relative that lived near the mother, unrelated foster parents get to adopt the child.
The father is a meth user, according to records on Court Connect.
The mother said she tested negative for drugs, but there might have been some inconclusive evidence of a problem.
Because of my own experience with Susan Kaye Weaver, I believe the mother. Here is her story in her own words:
I am so relieved to have found someone I can reach out to.
My son was taken from me by Arkansas DCFS over 1 year ago. He is now 2.
Weaver was my judge.
Lies and completely unbelievable unethical strategies were used against me, some of which were so outrageous I would have thought I was being punked. Like her demand for a maternity test because she didn’t believe I was my son’s mother or questioning the birth certificate DCFS obtained from NM State to be authentic. Mind you DCFS obtained a copy directly from the state themselves. I have 5 other children all of whom are in my care til this day. CYFD from my state was sent to my home to approve it for my son which obviously was safe enough to leave all my other children under my care without even a follow up but still she denied my baby to be returned to me.
My sister went as far as certifying to legitimately foster him with a license out of our state. She put everything into trying to get him back with family. Judge Weaver denied her twice and ran out the clock on her ICPC. Judge Weaver denied my sister under the reason that my sister did not contact the jail where the baby’s father was held to find out what his charges were.
My sister said, and I quote, “I’m here today and concerned with the well being of my nephew, not his father.”
Knowing she looked yet again like a total idiot as many times before in this case, she denied my son his loving true family once again. and terminated my rights in November. I filed an appeal which I honestly have no idea if it even was really filed or anything that’s going on with it because my PD that was assigned to me for this case filed and said an attorney would contact me. It is now February and I cannot get a direct answer from anyone.
I have been completely alone, violated, intimidated. harassed and terrified for my child.
I have reached out to everyone that I possibly could without any recognition. My son developed a UTI the first month he was in foster care and had a rash that lasted over a month. A caseworker took him to ER in the middle of the night while he was supposedly placed with a family who wants to adopt. He has had cuts across his throat and multiple infections, one that covered his face. But no one has said a thing about it.
He’s 2. He’s a baby, my baby and he’s 1000 miles away and there is nothing I can do to help him. This is the worst evil in this world. But I will never give up hope that the Lord will bring him home.
Please, this woman is no good. Children are obviously an object; not a heart and soul. We cannot let this continue. No one should have to live this nightmare under the hands of this corrupt operation!!!! Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the poor and the needy. Bring fourth justice for all!!
Amen
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Amen. Pray and act. This is your prayer. Now write these exact words to the JDDC, the Arkansas Judicial Disciplinary and Disability Commission.
How to Declare a Signatory “Incapacitated”: Attorney William Zac White Argues Inconsistent Definitions of Incapacitated
This writer is a defendant in a suit in Searcy County Arkansas presided over by Judge Susan Weaver.
The attorney who wrote the complaint, William Z. White of Heber Springs wrote that my ex-boyfriend, Micheal Pietrczak, was “incapacitated” when he signed a gift deed of property in Witts Spring, Arkansas to a trust of which I am a beneficiary.
The case was dismissed without prejudice and refiled years later, with almost identical claims. Judge Susan Kaye Weaver appears to be bending over backwards to transfer title of the 40 acres and once stunning cabin to Mr. White’s clients.
Attorney William White filed a separate petition regarding people unrelated to me on February 1, 2022. It is a probate matter. A will drafted by “Zac” White, signed December 15, 2022 was added as an exhibit. (IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM E. HAGGARD, DECEASED, Cleburne County Case No. 12PR-21-20)
This is the verbatim definition of “incapacitated” as defined by Attorney White in the will.
“(d) Incapacity
Except as otherwise provided in my Will, a person is deemed incapacitated
in any one of the following circumstances.
(1) The Opinion of Two Licensed Physicians
An individual is deemed incapacitated whenever, in the
opinion of two licensed physicians, the individual is unable
to effectively manage his or her property or financial affairs,
whether as a result of age, illness, use of prescription
medications, drugs or other substances, or any other cause.
An individual is deemed restored to capacity whenever the
individual’s personal or attending physician provides a
written opinion that the individual is able to effectively
manage his or her property and financial affairs.
(2) Court Determination
An individual is deemed incapacitated if a court of
competent jurisdiction has declared the individual to be
disabled, incompetent, or legally incapacitated.
(3) Disappearance, Absence, or Detention
An individual is deemed incapacitated whenever, in my
Trustee’s sole and absolute discretion, he or she cannot
effectively manage his or her property or financial affairs
due to disappearance, absence, or detention (including
incarceration).
A person’s disappearance, absence, or detention (including
incarceration), may be established by an affidavit of my
Trustee describing the relevant circumstances. A third party
dealing in good faith with my Trustee may rely on the
affidavit as conclusive evidence of incapacity.”
In the complaint of Micheal Pietrczak v. Rural Revival Living Trust and Laura Lynn, 65CV-21-20, the plaintiff gave no evidence that two professionals deemed Pietrczak “incapacitated” at or around the time he signed the deed. No professional mental health practitioner deemed Mr. Pietrczak incapacitated.
There was no court order stating Pietrczak was incapacitated at or around the time he signed the deed.
Mr. Pietrczak was present when he signed the deed.
It is interesting to note that W.Z. White represented one son, Colt G. Haggard, and the decedent wrote his second son out of his will entirely about 18 days before his death.
Who Lied Under Oath? Searcy County Arkansas Sheriff Deputy Pierce? Or Notary Brooke Hipp?
Check out the affidavit of Searcy County Sheriff Deputy Ezra Pierce posted below.
The Secretary of State website says notary Brooke Hipp is not authorized to eNotarize.
But the affidavit is signed electronically.
What’s worse, Deputy Pierce has only handed me a set of documents on October 7, 2021.
The attorney, William White would like to prove that I received two separate packets with a summons from Deputy Pierce.
I think Judge Susan Weaver is orchestrating the fraudulent activity. She called a hearing for October 7, 2021 and had four Sheriff officers present to make sure the other five people in the courtroom were safe and orderly.
Mrs. Hipp certified that the affidavit was signed in her presence in Cleburne County on January 14, 2022.
So, why is the document electronically signed?
And how do I get a Searcy County Arkansas Sheriff Deputy to drive an hour to sign an affidavit for me?!?
I can’t even get them to respond to my inquiry about what I contend is a fraudulent affidavit.
The serious questions: Why is Deputy Ezra Pierce not using a judicial council approved proof of service? Why is Deputy Pierce opining on the legal effect of handing the summons and complaint to Laura Hammett as an individual, without the designation “trustee”? Should he be charged with the unauthorized practice of law?
When the Chief Sheriff Deputy in a small town is lying on affidavits to assist an unethical judge to transfer an old lady’s assets, who does the victim report him to?
My suggestion, don’t move to Searcy County Arkansas. It has beautiful scenery and the people in the boonies are good folks, but the po-dunk lawmen and women are a dumber version of John Grisham characters and twice as corrupt.
Law Suit Filed To Help Regular Folks Obtain Legal Guidance Against Debt Buyers Like Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
(Cut and pasted a press release. Sorry the formatting is not right.)
Landmark First Amendment Lawsuit Brought in
New York Challenges Ban on Free Legal Advice
National Nonprofit and New York Pastor bring case against New York
State to challenge unjust and unconstitutional policies that stop
low-income New Yorkers from getting free legal advice to access their
rights.
With COVID-related medical debt mounting, debt and eviction
moratoriums expiring, and student loan repayments restarting in
2022, new lawsuit aims to expand access to legal advice for people
subject to debt collection lawsuits.
New York, New York – Today, Upsolve, a national nonprofit, and Reverend John Udo-Okon, a
Pastor in the South Bronx, filed a First Amendment lawsuit (see full case) in federal court
(SDNY) against New York State to challenge laws that stop low-income New Yorkers from
getting free, safe, and accountable legal advice in debt collection lawsuits. Over 70 million
Americans have debt in collections. Each year, about 4 million of these Americans are sued for
their debt, often for debt that they don’t actually owe or for the wrong amounts. Such actions
commonly include subprime auto-loans, medical debts, or debt bought by third parties. Over
90% of Americans sued for their debt receive no legal representation. The vast majority of
low-income Americans in debt collection lawsuits cannot afford legal fees and over 70% lose by
default, where the court automatically rules against them without considering the underlying
facts at all. It is currently illegal to receive free, vetted, routine legal advice from a trained
social worker, patient advocate, pastor, or any other professional who is not a lawyer.
Upsolve is suing to change that.
Three additional New Yorkers, Liz Jurado, Chris Lepre, and William Evertson, are participating
in the case to represent the millions of Americans each year whose lives are upended because
they cannot afford legal fees.
Liz Jurado was sued for $12,000 by her anesthesiologist for a surprise medical bill she received
after a routine epidural in childbirth. Christopher Lepre, a navy veteran, was unknowingly sold a
broken car, financed with a high-interest loan from subprime auto-lender Credit Acceptance, and
then sued by Credit Acceptance for over $15,000 – even though he gave the car back to the
dealer within three months. William Evertson, a Brooklyn-based social worker, was sued by
large third-party debt buyer Cavalry for a debt that was never his.
Jurado, Lepre, and Evertson all could not afford legal fees to fight back when they were
sued. And it was against the law for each of them to choose to receive free, routine legal advice
from a trained social worker, patient advocate, or any other professional who was not a lawyer.
Each of them automatically lost their case without the court considering any of the facts. Jurado
and Evertson ended up filing bankruptcy. Lepre had his wages garnished and had to borrow
from his 401(k) to make rent.
In America, you’re only guaranteed a free lawyer in criminal cases, not the vast majority of civil
cases, which include debt collection lawsuits. And there aren’t close to enough free
lawyers—especially in light of the educational cost required—to meet the demand of every
single person who needs legal help. Yet every state in America has laws that make it illegal for
low-income people to get free, safe, routine legal advice from trained professionals who aren’t
lawyers.
Upsolve CEO and co-founder, Rohan Pavuluri, said, “We believe that this is the kind of case
all Americans can get behind. We don’t have equal rights under the law. What we have is equal
rights if you can afford a lawyer. This is one of the fundamental and urgent injustices of our
time.”
Reverend John Udo-Okon, a co-plaintiff with Upsolve, already provides social services to some
of the lowest income zip codes in New York City. Rev. Udo-Okon wants to provide legal advice
to those in his community who have been sued for their debt, but it’s illegal for him to do so.
Reverend Udo-Okon said, “Members of my community are shut out from ways to vindicate
their own rights, and are left with what feels to them like an oppressive justice system stacked
against them.”
In response to Upsolve’s lawsuit, NAACP General Counsel, Janette Wallace, said, “It is
vitally important that low-income individuals get the help they need when trying to respond to
debt collection actions. Black Americans are more likely to face these actions, and they’re more
likely to have to do so without being able to call on a lawyer. The rules surrounding the practice
of law should make it easier, not harder, to redress this problem by ensuring access to high
quality legal help for those who need it.”
The lawsuit involves a new initiative Upsolve is launching, the American Justice Movement, to
empower low-income families to get free legal advice from professionals in their communities
who are not lawyers, called Justice Advocates. The American Justice Movement is launching
with a focus on debt collection lawsuits in New York. Justice Advocates include clergy members,
social workers, patient advocates, and other frontline professionals.
The downstream consequences of losing a debt collection lawsuit can include hunger,
homelessness, poverty, and, in some cases, even jail time, which also come at a cost to our
whole society. This problem is urgent in 2022, as experts predict an onslaught of debt collection
activity.
New York’s policies making it illegal to get free legal, safe, and accountable advice are
unconstitutional given the protections enshrined in the First Amendment. Upsolve is
fighting to protect rights the Constitution already guarantees the Americans most in need – like
the challengers in Miranda v. Arizona and Gideon v. Wainwright.
In response to the filing, Senior Attorney at the Institute for Justice Robert McNamara
said, “Upsolve’s lawsuit matters to millions of people nationwide who need basic legal advice
and can’t get it. The only thing laws like New York’s achieve is ensuring that ordinary people
who most need help can’t get practical advice from people who are willing to give it.”
These policies restrict the supply of help available, perpetuate the imbalance of our justice
system towards those who can afford legal fees, and guarantee that we’ll never have equal
rights under the law.
About Upsolve
Upsolve is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, based in NYC, with the mission of helping Americans access
their civil legal rights for free and achieve economic mobility, using technology, education,
community, and advocacy. Upsolve’s first project, an online web application to help families file
bankruptcy on their own for free, has relieved over $400M in debt for families facing medical
bills and other financial shocks. Upsolve also provides free financial and legal education that
reaches about 2 million individuals per year. Upsolve funders include Jack Dorsey, the Hewlett
Foundation, Emergent Ventures at the Mercatus Center, Scott & Cyan Banister, Eric & Wendy
Schmidt, Jim Breyer, Vinod Khosla, Chris & Crystal Sacca, the Robin Hood Foundation, and Y
Combinator. In 2020, TIME named Upsolve one of the Best Inventions of the Year. Upsolve
launched the American Justice Movement in 2022 to empower low-income families to get free,
safe, and accountable legal advice from trained frontline professionals.
Additional Resources Links are given on the American Justice movement website
● Website: AmericanJusticeMovement.org
● See Full Case (Filed Jan 25, 2022)
● Press Kit Images
● We Need a New Civil Right (CNN Opinion, Joe Kennedy III & Rohan Pavuluri)
● Civil Justice for All – Recommendation #4 (American Academy of Arts & Sciences)
● Give People the Law (Democracy Journal, Vivek Maru)
● Legal Advice from Nonlawyers (Stanford Journal of Civil Rights & Civil Liberties,
Rebecca Sandefur)
● Unauthorized Practice Of Law’ Rules Promote Racial Injustice (Law360, Rohan Pavuluri)
Open Email to Searcy County Arkansas Sheriff Kenney Cassell
Dear Sherriff Cassell,
Why is the Searcy County Arkansas Sheriff’s Department refusing to respond to my Freedom of Information Act Request for recordings of calls between my telephones and the Sheriff?
The requestor does not need to inform the provider with the purpose of the information. I will tell you, in part, anyhow.
My request is made in part because the information is pertinent to a civil case presided over by Judge Susan Weaver, in which I am a defendant, 65CV-21-20.
I can subpoena the same information, perhaps, but I believe Judge Weaver is colluding with Plaintiff’s counsel William Zac White of Heber Springs.
The Court may delay issuance of the subpoena. Mr. White has refused to comply with requests for production of documents and interrogatories. I filed a motion to compel and Mr. White and the Court ignored my motion.
Production in a FOIA request is required within three days.
If I want a court or law enforcement to help me compel the production, or award me damages for the failure, I can go to a Federal agency or court, rather than to the unethical Searcy County judge.
Mr. White’s office also filed an affidavit that looks like it was approved by Chief Deputy Ezra Pierce on its face. The notary who works for Mr. White attested that Deputy Pierce was physically present, but the signature looks electronic. The notary is not licensed to eNotarize documents.
The affidavit does not use language found on the Judicial Council approved forms.
There is language in the affidavit that sounds like Chief Deputy Pierce gave a legal opinion, that a summons was “duly” served on the Rural Revival Living Trust.
The summons handed to me by Chief Deputy Pierce on October 7, 2021 was directed to “Laura Lynn Hammett”. Not “Trustee”. It was served on an individual, not a trust.
The affidavit claims Chief Deputy Pierce served summons on the trust on October 12, 2021. I did not see Mr. Pierce on October 12, 2021. As far as I know, that is an outright lie.
I mention the affidavit in the same email as the FOIA request because I have a reasonable suspicion that the failure to provide the information requested is caused by the same reason the faulty affidavit was filed and your office has not corrected it. That reason is probably an intent to deprive me of my Constitutional right to equal protection under the law and to help transfer title of 9985 Lick Fork Road to Micheal Pietrczak who will then transfer title to someone else. I am concerned the transfer will be to Mr. White, Judge Weaver, or a straw buyer.
I am not certain when I will file my complaint against you and the Sheriff’s Department, but I will post this email chain on my blog immediately.
Looking forward to a response from you.
Laura Hammett
On Thursday, January 27, 2022, 02:03:41 PM CST, Laura Lynn <bohemian_books@yahoo.com> wrote:
To Sheriff Cassell,
I filed a FOIA request in the email attached hereto.
It has been more than three business days and I have not received a response.
Please call me before close of business today and inform me of when you will have my request fulfilled.
According to the Attorney General’s Freedom of Information Handbook, 19th Edition page 31, “A person who ‘negligently violates’ the FOIA is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Ark. Code Ann, [section] 25-19-104.”
Regards,
Laura Hammett (760) 966-6000
On Friday, January 21, 2022, 11:03:18 AM CST, Laura Lynn <bohemian_books@yahoo.com> wrote:
To Searcy County Sheriff’s Office,
This is a Freedom of Information Act request for copies of all recordings to 911 or (870) 448-2340 from (870) 496-2653 and (760) 966-6000 from January 1, 2015 to present.
Please tell me if you have a form I must fill out. The “Forms” page on your website is blank.
Also tell me what charge I will incur and how I may pay.
Thank you,
Laura Lynn Hammett
Monster Alan Friedenthal is Dead!
Thank you to my sister victim of the corrupt family law system in Los Angeles, California, for sending an obituary from the August 18, 2020 death of Alan Friedenthal.
It was interesting to read the glowing tribute by the Met-News, a rag in the Democrat run state that caters to the legal community.
What do you say about an alleged pedophile who destroyed children’s lives and collected lots of money doing it?
The Met-News steered clear of Alan’s history in the family law court, claiming he worked primarily in dependency and delinquency cases.
Maybe they wanted people to believe his cases were sealed, so as not to read through them.
Maybe it sounded better to say Alan separated children from their parents in dependency and juvenile court, where they would have legal counsel protecting the families’ rights. In “family law” the unethical commissioner was able to violate parental rights of anyone who did not have enough money to pay an attorney, or who was outlawyered by Friedenthal’s cronies.
The Met-News did apologetics for the buffoon ex-commissioner concerning the “severe public admonishment” the monster received for making impermissible rulings from the bench against five families. The Met-News discounted the disciplinary action taken by the Commission on Judicial Performance and the California Supreme Court by claiming one of the mothers who was separated from her child completely by Alan Friedenthal made antisemitic comments to the secular Jewish judicial officer.
According to a story by Fox News that featured this writer’s work exposing Alan Friedenthal, there were hundreds of people who complained about the court commissioner.
One of my sources who worked in law enforcement said the rotund man was investigated for inappropriate sexualized conduct toward one of the boys he separated from the child’s biological mother.
My faith is challenged to the limits when I write these words that I know I should say with sincerity:
May he rest in peace.
Judge Susan Weaver Sues Gun Maker Who Failed to Deliver Deeply Discounted AR 15 For Daddy
Judge Weaver is a self-described “daddy’s girl”, according to an interview in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
The Faulkner County judge tried to buy an AR 15 for her Dad’s 70th birthday, as you can read in court documents posted below.
Michael Varner, who worked for a gum manufacturer, agreed to build the gun before Mr. Weaver’s birthday at his employee discount rate, $715, according to Mr. Varner.
Unfortunately for Mr. Varner, there was a supply side problem with the parts.
The judge had to make her father’s birthday present a picture and a promise.
Mr. Varner said he agreed to return the $715.
But that was not enough for Judge Weaver. She filed a small claims suit against the Deer, Arkansas gunsmith and won $3,090.00 plus $115 in costs.
Plaintiff Weaver said she bought the gun directly from Wilson Combat for $2,797.20.
The court documents give no explanation of what the extra $290 was for. I guess pain and suffering.
Don’t believe me? Read the court docs posted below.
Judge Weaver garnished Mr. Varner’s wages, according to court documents.
Do you think Judge Weaver is fair and compassionate? Or a greedy tyrant who uses her position of power and influence to line her pockets?
Judge Susan Kaye Weaver Stealing Babies?
This reporter has a definite bias against Judge Susan Kaye Weaver.
The bias is caused by my belief that Susan Weaver is committing honest services fraud against me.
Because of my strong faith, I do not act maliciously toward people; not even those who spitefully abuse me.
That Christian tenant does not give license to my abuser to continue the abuse or abuse other victims.
I asked for other people to share stories about Judge Weaver of Faulkner County, Searcy County and Van Buren County, Arkansas.
One reliable professional, whose professional license is unmarred by any ethics violation, told me the professional’s observations in a dependency case presided over by Judge Susan Weaver.
The case is under seal, so I cannot verify the facts. (This is a good argument for making dependency cases open to the public.)
As the professional’s career may come to a screeching halt if judge Weaver knows who leaked the information, the professional will remain anonymous, and the facts will be kept vague purposefully. The professional did not tell me the name of any of the other people involved in the case.
This is not a court of law. You may judge the veracity of this story about a judge, as you weigh arguments against any elected official. Then use your judgment when you see the elected official on any ballot in the future.
The professional told me of a child who was taken from his mother by Judge Weaver. During a hearing for reunification, the mother had a witness present to attest that the mother had complied with all the court ordered treatment, classes and testing required for reunification.
Judge Susan Weaver refused to let the witness testify. No reason was given for excluding this evidence.
The mother and child were not reunited.
The professional thought Judge Weaver’s demeanor on the bench and ruling was “bizarre”.
Judge Susan Weaver is often quoted and has posted on the internet that she loves children. But the judge was married and divorced young, never remarried and has no children of her own.
She either does not understand that a child will be harmed if the maternal bond is destroyed, or she is an incredibly evil person who is using her elected position of power to purposefully destroy lives. Maybe both.
*****************
I’m not saying that lack of a mother – child bond guarantees a tragic life.
There are situations in which no mother is preferable to the mother God used to bring a child into the world. Foster parents and adoptive parents can be wonderful, loving parents to those whose biological parents don’t want the child or are unable to care for the child.
But, we as a society should not deny anyone’s Constitutional right to a familial relationship without giving the parents every opportunity to put forward evidence on their behalf.
Too often judges in the family law and dependency courts are jaded or just ignore the rule of law. From my own experience and the story conveyed above, I fear Judge Susan Weaver is one of the judges who separates children from their mothers without following the law.
What Can I Do About A Corrupt Court?
This is not legal advice. This writer is not an attorney. She is a public relations professional.
Court Commissioner Alan Friedenthal is no longer serving on the bench. This is a major victory for the people of California who might have otherwise had their lives and their children’s lives destroyed by the judge wanna-be.
In California, judges are elected. But commissioners are appointed and have the same authority as judges. Alan Friedenthal attempted to get elected twice and failed but was still appointed to his position of power.
I do not know why Alan retired from his commissioner paycheck and position of power. It looks like he went back into practice as an attorney and was involved in the production of a movie.
My hope is that my public relations campaign to have him removed from office helped influence his decision.
One major battle won in my efforts to rid Los Angeles of this corrupt family law “judge” was helping Fox News produce a series called “Lost in the System”. You can watch some of the series by clicking here.
So, what can you do if you are having a problem that lands you in court and you have a corrupt judge?
First, if you can afford an attorney, your chance of receiving justice in court improves by 1,000%.
If you are a regular person, you can’t afford an attorney.
Let’s rewind.
Before you get to the point of filing lawsuits…try to live a conflict free life.
There is Biblical wisdom that says, paraphrased, if another Christian harms you, speak to him first, before taking him to court. Implied is that if you harm a person, you should make them whole and be apologetic while doing so.
Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P. built a crappy heating and air-conditioning unit. Advantage Service Company in North Little Rock installed that unit in my home. A large retailer I’ll call “Good Guys” sold me the faulty equipment and arranged for Advantage to do the installation.
When the HVAC failed, advantage came out to repair it several times. They demanded payment each time. When we reached close to a thousand dollars in repair bills, I looked up warranty law and found that pursuant to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975, all three companies involved must repair the unit for free.
Skipping a few steps, I eventually filed a lawsuit against the three companies for violating the Mag-Moss Warranty Act, fraud, conversion and violating the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
The Good Guys reimbursed me then for the repairs and the cost of the unit.
But the Goliath manufacturing company and its parent and partners refused to apologize or compensate me in any way. Instead of reimbursing $1,000 for the repairs, Advantage Service Company altered invoices to try to create an alternative universe.
First lesson of the day: If you have to cheat to win, don’t play.
Part of the process, one of the steps skipped above, was a small claims judge named Charles Clawson having ex parte communications with Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P. When I went for a 1:30 PM hearing at 1:10 (always be early), I caught the judge and a tall man talking to each other about the case. I shyly raised my hand and said I was the plaintiff. The judge supposedly summarized what they were talking about before I arrived and sent us home.
Later Judge Clawson had email communications with me and a Goodman representative regarding the case. Before I filed a complaint with the judicial disciplinary committee in Little Rock, the judge recused himself. He had a bad attitude and was snarky when he recused himself, but he did recuse.
So, how to deal with corrupt courts?
Besides staying out of court, the second most important action you can take is to make a good record.
Court clerks have altered and removed docket entries on my cases before. The small claims clerk on the Goodman case took $12 from me to send my complaint and summons certified, then sent the wrong papers by regular mail to defendant Goodman. Goodman jumped from the bushes after 120 days and said “Gotcha! You served us improperly and the case must be dismissed”.
Instead of owning up to their error, the clerk altered the docket to show they had refunded my money, then they thought better of it and reversed the alleged refund document.
Had I not kept my receipts, the clerk would probably have lied.
Keep receipts.
Object in writing to all fishy legal maneuverings.
Keep all emails.
If you send a letter, send it certified.
If your court system allows it, sign up for electronic filing. That way, the time you are served is documented.
Next, brainstorm alternatives to litigation.
You may be able to convince a wayward company to settle with you. Everyone benefits by settlement, except corrupt judges who take bribes. If you have a corrupt judge, the settlement will need to be less than the bribe. Unfortunately, once a company gives one bribe to a judge, you will have no settlement power available against that company or their attorneys. The judge must continue to rule for the briber.
If you are lucky enough to have an honest judge assigned to your case, you will go to ADR, Alternative Dispute Resolution.
I had one company agree to pay the entire bill for ADR.
Realize that mediators and arbitrators are big business friendly. Individual plaintiffs will usually have few cases during a lifetime. Big companies are sued and sue often. They are repeat customers for the “neutral” adjudicator.
You may be able to find other regular people who had or have similar problems with your adversary.
Look at records kept by your court. Most of these are online now.
You can find contact information for similarly situated victims on their complaints.
People are usually happy to share their stories with anyone who will listen.
Write on the internet.
This blog had about 600 posts in 2013. (I wanted to retire and took them all down; alas I have been forced out of retirement.)
When I was getting dozens or hundreds of hits per day, I built a network of other litigants who were having the same troubles with Alan Friedenthal and his ilk. We swapped emails, talked on the phone, met for lunch and worked on three projects together, including the Fox News series “Lost in the System”.
Most jurisdictions have a judicial ethics commission.
File a complaint. Don’t expect too much.
The Commission on Judicial Performance in California took about three years to admonish Alan Friedenthal for an appearance of bias on my case and four others. The damage was done and irreparable.
But knowing they are being investigated might slow down the smarter corrupt judges.
Contact news media.
You can email well written pleadings to the local paper’s reporter that covers the courts.
Chances are better that a blogger like myself will be interested and repost your story.
I am trying to remove Judge Susan Kaye Weaver from her position as Circuit Court judge of Searcy County, Faulkner County and Van Buren County, Arkansas.
She is a dangerous and well connected woman. She has a reputation for playing favorites. She has a reputation of not understanding the subtleties of civil litigation. I suspect she understands every word and is trying to funnel finances from regular people who can’t afford attorneys to her pets.
If you think Judge Weaver is corrupt, please contact the JDDC in Little Rock and contact me. I promise confidentiality to those who want it.
Together we can establish a pattern and practice of corrupt acts by this wayward judge.
A Higher Law 