Judges Bench Guides

Judge Leonard Edwards wrote an article for the Judges Page on the National CASA website where he says that judges need to stop rubber stamping these cases and enforce the "Reasonable Efforts" requirement, but they are afraid a "No Reasonable Efforts" ruling could cost their state millions of dollars. There is also at least one Judges Bench Book (California) that is referred to as "The Smoking Gun" because it very clearly states that the courts MUST rule during the initial hearing (after removal) that it is contrary to the best interest of the child to be returned home, otherwise the state is NEVER eligible for federal funding. You can see it for yourself at http://www.thesociologycenter.com/EvidenceBooks/Bench%20Guides%20SmallFile.pdf on pages 2, 3 and 13.

Simply put, the best way to say it would be that Judges Bench Books are the instruction manuals on how a Judge can or should rule and/or preside over a case. The biggest benefit to providing access to the Bench Books is it gives people a chance to have "inside information" to help them better anticipate what they're facing, and possibly help them defend themselves better. It also shows/proves any incentive that the Judges may have for ruling a certain way.

With regard to the California Judges Bench Guide 200, it actually has a "recommended ruling" section and "Judicial tips" when deciding how to rule on dependency and neglect cases where the children have already been taken by CPS/DCF. The recommended ruling (at least for California) is to keep the children in the custody of CPS/DCF so that the state doesn't become ineligible for the Title IV funds. Currently there is an effort to get all of the Bench Books for all the states to see if the other 49 states have the same "recommended rulings" that California does.

Great news!

We are pleased to announce that the 3 person Special Master panel found Judge Peter Mc Brien committed judicial misconduct. After more briefs and an oral argument in front of the Commission on Judicial Performance, a decision will be made on his punishment. This process will take another 6 months.

Judge Peter Mc Brien has destroyed numerous and innocent childrens, and families lives.

Now is the perfect time for anyone who was harmed by Judge Mc Brien, to make
a formal complaint to the Commission on Judicial Performance.

How to file a complaint: http://cjp.ca.gov/index.php?id=16
Complaint form: http://cjp.ca.gov/userfiles/file/Appendix/Complaint_form.pdf
“Complaint should not simply state conclusions, such as "the judge was rude" or "the judge was biased. Instead, the complaint should fully describe what the judicial officer did and said. If a court document or an audio or video tape evidences the misconduct, you may submit a copy (do not send original documents) or mention it in your complaint. Some examples of judicial misconduct are improper demeanor, failure to disqualify when the law requires, receipt of information about a case outside the presence of one party, abuse of contempt or sanctions, and delay in decision-making.”

Judicial ethics: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/documents/ca_code_judicial_ethics.pdf

Great News at the Capital, Sacramento, California (FAMILY LAW JUDGE) - June 26, 2009

Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan, Tinian, Rota)