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Showing posts with label Judges. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Judges. Show all posts

Christie Files 15 Judicial Nominations

Yesterday, New Jersey Governor Christie filed the following judicial nominations with the State Senate. The Governor’s nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the State Senate.

NOMINATIONS

SUPERIOR COURT

Nominate for reappointment Peter A. Buchsbaum (Stockton, Hunterdon)

Nominate for reappointment Faustino J. Fernandez-Vina (Barrington, Camden)

Nominate for reappointment Richard F. Freid (North Haledon, Passaic)

Nominate for reappointment Margaret M. Hayden (West Orange, Essex)

Nominate for reappointment Frederic S. Kessler (Cranford, Union)

Nominate for appointment Melanie Donohue Appleby (Toms River, Ocean)

Nominate for appointment Madelin F. Einbinder (Toms River, Ocean)

Nominate for appointment Randal C. Chiocca (Wayne, Passaic)

Nominate for appointment Adam E. Jacobs (Wayne, Passaic)

Nominate for appointment Lawrence M. Maron (Wayne, Passaic)

Nominate for appointment Daniel J. Yablonsky (North Haledon, Passaic)

Nominate for appointment Regina Caulfield (Berkeley Heights, Union)

Nominate for appointment Mark P. Ciarrocca (Westfield, Union)

Nominate for appointment Kathi F. Fiamingo (Kenilworth, Union)

PASCACK JOINT MUNICIPAL COURT

Nominate for appointment Harry Norton (Ramsey, Bergen)

Last week, Governor Christie also filed one nomination with the State Senate. The Governor’s nomination is subject to the advice and consent of the State Senate.

Capital City Redevelopment Corporation

Nominate for appointment the Honorable Peter A. Inverso (Hamilton, Mercer)

PMC: Let's Improve PA. Judicial Discipline System

Explaining that “changes are needed to ensure the Pennsylvania Judicial Discipline System is empowered to act – and does act – first and foremost to protect the public,” Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts (PMC) has released its Report and Recommendations for Improving the Pennsylvania Judicial Discipline System.

Maintaining public confidence in the courts requires certainty that there is a strong judicial discipline system to investigate and punish judicial misconduct. But as PMC Deputy Director Shira J. Goodman noted, “In the wake of the Luzerne County scandal, Pennsylvanians are not sure this is the case. Steps must be taken to restore public trust in the System.”

The recommendations include enhancing the accountability, transparency, and independence of the Judicial Discipline System; improving service to those who complain about judicial conduct; and sufficiently funding the System. Goodman explained, “PMC focused on how to strengthen the Judicial Discipline System and enable it to better serve the public. We understand this will take resources in a time of tight budgets, but Pennsylvanians want a Judicial Discipline System that will, above all, operate in a way that protects the public from judicial misconduct.”

Ideally, the Judicial Discipline System would be used rarely because judges would not engage in questionable conduct. To the extent the System must be used, PMC hopes the suggestions for improving it will be considered and adopted.

PMC’s Report on the Pennsylvania Judicial Discipline System may be found here.

Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts is a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes the reform of Pennsylvania’s judicial system. www.pmconline.org.

Christie Nominates Judges, Other Officials

Today, New Jersey Governor Christie filed the following direct appointment with the Secretary of State’s Office.

DIRECT APPOINTMENT

Cumberland County Board of Elections

Appoint Bonnie H. Facemyer (Bridgeton, Cumberland)

On Thursday, June 2, 2011, Governor Christie filed the following nominations with the State Senate. The Governor’s nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the State Senate.

NominationS

SUPERIOR COURTS

Nominate for reappointment Richard S. Hoffman (Mullica Hill, Gloucester County)

Nominate for reappointment Eugene J. McCaffrey, Jr. (Mullica Hill, Gloucester County)

Nominate for reappointment Mary K. White (Woodbury, Gloucester County)

Nominate for reappointment William J. McGovern (Lafayette, Sussex County)

Nominate for appointment Allen J. Littlefield (Hammonton, Atlantic County)

Nominate for appointment Kathleen M. Delaney (Haddonfield, Camden County)

Joint Municipal Court

Pilesgrove Joint Municipal Court, Lower Alloways Creek and Elsinboro Joint Municipal Court

Nominate for appointment Nicholas T. Lacovara (Mullica Hill,Gloucester County)

Committee Approves Christie Supreme Court Nominee

Today, Governor Chris Christie issued the following statement regarding the Senate Judiciary Committee’s approval of Anne Patterson to be an Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court:

“I want to thank the Judiciary Committee and Chairman Scutari for their support of an outstanding candidate for our state Supreme Court. In Anne Patterson, we have a principled and experienced attorney of the highest character and professionalism joining the Court if confirmed by the full Senate. From the hearing today and since the time of her nomination, the people of New Jersey have learned that Anne possesses all the attributes I will demand of any nomination I make to the Supreme Court, including integrity, compassion and, above all, the necessary credentials and background to serve on our state’s highest court.”

NJ: Addiego, Rudder, Delany Blast High Court

New Jersey State Senator Dawn Marie Addiego, Assemblyman Scott Rudder and Assemblyman Pat Delany expressed outrage after the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that an additional $500 million must be spent on the chronically failing school districts formerly known as Abbott Districts.
“Suburban taxpayers should be appalled by this ruling! The court has declared that suburban parents who are already paying twice for education, for their own children and for students in the urban districts, now must shoulder the burden of another $500 million,” said Senator Addiego.
New Jersey’s school funding formula channels almost 60 percent of all state education aid to just a handful of school districts, the same districts that will receive the additional $500 million.“Since 2001, the 31 Abbott school districts in the state have received $43 billion in state aid,” said Assemblyman Rudder.
“This ruling will continue to drive up property taxes for suburban homeowners.”
“Once again, the New Jersey Supreme Court has mandated that the taxpayers spend hundreds of millions as if we had limitless funds and no other responsibilities,” said Assemblyman Delany. “This is just another in a long line of expensive court decisions that will cost New Jersey taxpayers when they can least afford it.”
"New Jersey’s worst performing urban school districts already spend far more than the state average, and continue to have unacceptably low graduation rates and poor classroom performance,” Senator Addiego said. “Without accountability and education reform, the supreme court is ensuring that children attend even more expensive schools that continue to fail them, while leading to huge property tax increases across the state.”

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

NJ Supreme Court Decision Is Bogus, Arrogant

Hot Air has joined many other publications and web sites in denouncing the controversial New Jersey Supreme Court decision that orders the state to continue throwing money at so-called "poor" school districts even though billions of dollars of spending (estimated at $37 billion and counting) has failed to improve grades and test scores for students in these districts.
Not only is the decision dumb beyond belief but in fact, this sweeping decision has absolutely no credibility.
Here's an excerpt from the article:

Meanwhile, the state of New Jersey simply can’t afford this decision. Complying with earlier Abbott court rulings cost New Jersey taxpayers more than $37 billion between 1998 and 2008 alone, according to a Federalist Society white paper.
The decision is fishy for another reason, as well. The Court’s decision came on the strength of a swing vote of a justice temporarily assigned to the Court with neither the governor’s approval nor the advice and consent of the state senate.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Doherty: Amend Constitution; Restrict NJ Court

New Jersey State Senator Michael Doherty, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement in response decision of the New Jersey State Supreme Court to order the Legislature to expend additional money for Abbott districts:

“Once again, the Court has overstepped its clearly defined constitutional authority. This position was acknowledged by the two dissenting justices.

“This decision also perpetuates a failed legal theory that more money will improve educational outcomes. This theory has been disproved after more than three decades of Abbott decisions.

“At the next quorum of the Senate, I will introduce a proposed constitutional amendment that will forever remove the Court from decisions on how we fund our schools. The proposed constitutional amendment will provide equal school aid for each student, regardless of where the student resides. New Jersey needs to establish a fair, simple, transparent, and straightforward educational funding formula that takes the income tax fund and distributes the fund equally to each student.

“I look forward to a full and vigorous debate on the merits of my proposed amendment. I believe the voters of this state will approve a fair school funding formula by an overwhelming margin.”

Cardinale: Court Treads On Legislative, Exec. Branches

New Jersey State Senator Gerald Cardinale noted today that two of the five voting members of the New Jersey Supreme Court dissented from the latest Abbott Decision because the “relief demanded of this court treads on the constitutional prerogatives of the Legislature and the Executive branch.”:

“The two dissenting opinions of the court are very telling. Two justices argued that the court had no right to order the Legislature to spend money. This is a principle that is maintained in both the state and federal constitutions. Only the Legislature can appropriate and spend the taxpayers’ money, not the executive branch and certainly not the Supreme Court.

“In the second dissent the two Justices acknowledge the abject failure of the Senate Democrats to fulfill their constitutional obligation of advice and consent. The determination made by the court today was by a 3-to-2 vote. Clearly, in a case that literally impacts the wallets of every person living in the state the court must acknowledge that a minimum of four votes are needed to grant relief on this motion.

“The Court has ignored the Constitutional provision that all education aid be distributed for the equal benefit of the state. (Article 8, Section 4, paragraph 2) this provision of the State Constitution is as binding as any other and should not be disregarded by the Court to further their misguided ambitions of social engineering.

“It is extraordinary that the Court is not averse to violating the very principles it is sworn to uphold. I object to the court’s arrogance and to its conduct. Today was a very bad day for the American system of jurisprudence.

Kean: NJ High Court Cannot Legislate From Bench

New Jersey Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) issued the following statement in response to the New Jersey Supreme Court's ruling ordering the state to spend $500 million on the 31 former Abbott school districts:

"The unelected justices of the New Jersey Supreme Court issued a ruling today that created law from the bench despite having no constitutional authority to do so. In so doing, they have thumbed their noses at the residents of the state who elected a Governor and a Legislature to make these policy decisions as is prescribed by the state constitution."

"The Court is wrong. A thorough and efficient system of education is not solely contingent on dollars, but requires significant reforms to make those dollars work better for students: rewarding excellent teachers for merit rather than longevity, reforming tenure to more easily and quickly remove ineffective educators from the classroom, and capping superintendent salaries to rein in administrative costs. Quality education is about holding the system accountable for student outcomes, and we should not turn to spending as a remedy until accountability measures are put in place."

"The Court's ruling fails disadvantaged students by continuing a decades-old legal theory that, since its inception, has not measurably improved the poor graduation rates and test scores of chronically failing school districts."

"Republicans have been clear: we will not raise taxes on the most highly taxed people in America to pay for another wrongheaded decision by the Supreme Court. The state's tax burden has, according to census figures released today, cost our state another 190, 000 residents in 2009. The Legislative Majority needs to put its cards on the table and come forward with ideas on how to address this ruling."

Christie: High Court Decision 'All That's Wrong' In NJ

Today's arrogant, outrageous and irresponsible school funding decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court warrants the strongest possible response from every citizen of the state and that response -- a response of nothing less than outrage -- must emanate from the top.
Fittingly, Governor Chris Christie has set the proper tone in responding with appropriate dismay.
The Governor is absolutely correct: The Court has no business telling the State Legislature and the Governor how they should spend the taxpayer's money. The Court has vastly overstepped its bounds. The Justices of this contemptuous Court are legislating from the bench.
If this is the way they wish to conduct themselves, the majority Justices should get the hell off the court and run for office -- run for legislative posts or whatever.
The time has come for the people of the state to rise up and demand reform so that EVERY branch of government (including this heretofore imperious court) will be accountable to the people.
The Governor's statement follows:

FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR’S OPENING STATEMENT:

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie:

Today’s ruling by the State Supreme Court is disappointing, but not unexpected.

There are several reasons why I believe this decision represents everything that’s wrong with how Trenton has historically operated and everything that I am here fighting to change.

First, as a fundamental principle, I do not believe that it is the role of the State Supreme Court to determine what programs the State should and should not be funding, and to what amount.

The Court should not be dictating how taxpayer dollars are spent and prioritizing certain programs over others. The Supreme Court is not the Legislature; it should not dictate policy, it should not be in the business of discussing specific taxes to be raised and it should not have any business deciding how tax dollars are spent. A number of the members of the current Supreme Court agreed with that very position in today’s decision.

Those responsible for making decisions regarding how money is raised through taxes and how it is spent by government are those elected by the people and ultimately held accountable by the people.

Secondly, I believe the Court’s decision is based on a failed legal and educational theory that incorrectly reasons the key to establishing a thorough and efficient system of education is to throw more money at failing schools.

Let me be clear, I do believe funding education is critically important to New Jersey’s future. Even before today’s Court decision, we increased education aid by $250 million to every school district in this year’s proposed budget.

But, we must also acknowledge that money does not equal quality results. And there is now nearly 30 years of evidence that just throwing money at the problem is not the answer.

We should be getting better results with the taxpayer money we already spend and we aren’t which means changing the educational system goes beyond dollars and cents.

However, as Governor of New Jersey, I realize that regardless of my personal beliefs, I must comply with the New Jersey Constitution as interpreted by the New Jersey Supreme Court. In February, I submitted my budget to the Legislature for review and consideration. That is my constitutional obligation. Now the legislature has until June 30th to fulfill its constitutional obligation to pass a final budget.

In the light of the court’s ruling, it is now up to the Legislature to determine how the State is best able to fund the additional $500 million in aid to the Abbott districts specifically ordered in footnote 23 by the Court’s majority while also meeting the State’s other funding priorities as I proposed them. I have complete confidence that the Legislature understands its unique constitutional obligation to send a balance budget to me by June 30th. I am also confident that the Legislature understands its independent constitutional obligation to comply with the Supreme Court’s order in whatever budget they send to me for my consideration by the June 30th deadline.

I fully expect the Legislature will send me in a timely manner for my review and consideration a constitutionally balanced budget that includes how the Court’s order will be met.

My principles remain the same. New Jersey has some of the highest taxes in America. New Jerseyans are already incredibly overtaxed. Therefore, as I have repeatedly stated, I do not believe raising taxes is the answer. That has not changed.

I stand ready to execute my constitutional duties and consider what the Legislature submits as its final budget to me by June 30th.

Sayde Ladov Winning Endorsements For CP Judge

Sayde Ladov is running for Common Pleas Court Judge in Philadelphia in the May 17 primary election and we know of no finer candidate for the position. None.
But don't take our word for it. Look at the endorsements that Sayde has piled up already:

Fraternal Order of Police

Sayde is proud to announce that she has received the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
The FOP is the labor union for Police Officers in the City of Philadelphia. The Fraternal Order of Police represents 14,600 Active and Retired officers of the Philadelphia Police and Sheriffs’ Department. They protect promote and improve the working conditions, legal rights, salary compensation, pensions & benefits of Philadelphia police officers.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Recognizing her broad experience and her service as Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Philadelphia Inquirer has endorsed Sayde's candidacy.

Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity

Sayde has also received the endorsement of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia.
This influential group of ministers has a mission to enhance the welfare of poor and oppressed people in the African American community wherever they may reside in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in general and in the city of Philadelphia and vicinity in particular. The Black Clergy promotes equality, justice, brotherhood, community betterment, black awareness, jobs, better housing, education and Christian Principles.

Liberty City Democratic Club

Sayde is honored to have been endorsed by the Liberty City Democratic Club.　

The Club was founded in 1994 by activists who wanted to build lesbian and gay power and involvement in the Democratic Party. The purpose of the club is to support LGBT-friendly candidates, promote legislative issues of importance to the LGBT community and provide a forum for LGBT voters to meet candidates and officeholders.

Eighth Ward Democratic Executive Committee

Sayde is excited to have received the endorsement of the 8th Ward.

The mission of the Eighth Ward Democratic Executive Committee is to activate the Democratic voters of the Eighth Ward, connect them to their party and their government and effect their political will. To this end the Eighth Ward Democratic Executive Committee shall: 1.) educate residents about the mechanics of voting, including registration and absentee balloting; 2.) solicit views and concerns from the residents of the Ward; 3.) help residents evaluate candidates; and 4.) help residents influence the actions of public officials.

Fifth and Ninth Wards

The Fifth Ward has endorsed Sayde as their candidate as has the 9th Ward.

The 5th, 8th and 9th Wards comprise Center City, Northern Liberties, Chestnut Hill, Society Hill, Olde City and many other neighborhoods as well.

Additional Endorsements

Sayde has received the endorsement if the Pentecostal Clergy PAC.

Sayde has the support of the District Attorney R. Seth Williams. Sayde has been found recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association Judicial Commission.

Stay tuned for more endorsements...

Christie, Sweeney Reach Agreement On Court Nominees

Joined at a press conference by Senate President Steve Sweeney, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie today announced a bipartisan agreement to move forward the stalled nomination of Morris County resident Anne Paterson as an associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme court. On May 10, 2010, Governor Christie nominated Patterson, following through on his pledge to rebalance and set a new direction for the state’s highest court.

“I’m pleased that we’ve come together in a bipartisan way to bring an end to the impasse of the last year and move forward with the confirmation process for a much deserving and highly qualified nominee for the Supreme Court. In Anne Patterson, we have a future associate justice of the highest character, legal intellect and compassion, who I believe will serve the people of New Jersey extraordinarily well,” said Governor Christie. “As the confirmation process moves forward for Anne, I believe it is inevitable that the Senate reaches the same conclusion about her as I have. I want to thank Senate President Sweeney for being a willing partner in finding a path forward today on this nomination and for subsequent future nominations to the Supreme Court.”

Governor Christie will formally withdraw Anne Patterson’s nomination and resubmit it for the seat being vacated by Justice Roberto Rivera-Soto. Senate President Sweeney has agreed to move swiftly to afford Patterson a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and an up-or-down vote by the full Senate during the month of May. Upon her confirmation, for the first time, New Jersey would have a female majority on the Supreme Court, and become only the fifth state in America to have that distinction. Further as part of the agreement, the Senate President has agreed to provide the same expedited process in 2012, holding hearings for Governor Christie’s nominees in sufficient time to have them seated by March of 2012, if confirmed.

Anne Patterson, 52, is a partner with the law firm Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti, LLP, has received a rating of “highly qualified” from the New Jersey State Bar Association. There she practices primarily in the areas of product liability and commercial litigation in state and federal courts, class actions involving product liability and pharmaceutical pricing, intellectual property litigation, restrictive covenant litigation, closely held corporation litigation and appeals.

Patterson has been a member of the New Jersey bar for 27 years and has practiced before the state's Supreme Court, appellate and trial courts. In 1989 and 1990, Patterson served as a Deputy Attorney General and Special Assistant to then-New Jersey Attorney General Peter N. Perretti, Jr.

Philly: Sayde Ladov For CP Court Judge!

Every two years, people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vote for qualified judges to fill vacancies on the bench.
On May 17, Philadelphians will have an opportunity to select as many as 10 new judges to serve on the Common Pleas Court of Philadelphia.
Sayde Ladov is running for one of those positions.
We know Sayde and we can tell you this: There is no one running for this position this year who is more qualified, more committed, more sensitive to the needs of the people of Philadelphia or more worthy of election to this office. Sayde will make a great judge because she is a great person -- and an accomplished lawyer and litigator.
Simply stated, Sayde has litigated matters in all divisions (Civil Trial, Family, Orphans and Criminal) of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. As a result of her vast and varied experience, Sayde believes that it is critical for all litigants to come before a fair, competent, and impartial judge who can ably preside over a trial and truly make it a search for the truth, which is then correctly applied to the law
In short, Sayde has strived over a 30 year career to make sure that the playing field remains level for all litigants regardless of race, religion, gender, and economic status.
Learn more about Sayde by exploring this website by clicking here.
If you have further questions, you can reach out to her campaign by clicking here..
Tell your friends and neighbors. Get involved. Help put Sayde Ladov on the Common Pleas Court.

Special Master Slammed For Ruling Against Taxpayers

New Jersey State Senator Michael Doherty, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the special master’s decision in the latest school funding case:
“Governor Christie got it exactly right in his budget address when he stated that ‘we must end the myth that more money equals better achievement. It is a failed legal theory, and we can no longer waste our children’s time or the public’s money waiting for it to finally work.’
“Over the years, New Jersey’s Supreme Court has ordered the public to endlessly ante up for more and more school funding. Today, New Jersey has the highest per-pupil spending of any state, over $14,000, and the districts formerly known as Abbotts have the highest per-pupil spending in the state, over $17,000. The districts formerly know as Abbott consume 57.4 percent of all state education aid, nearly $4 billion.
The Special Master freely admits that despite spending more money than almost anywhere else in America, these districts are still failing. Clearly, money is not the issue, yet Judge Doyne overlooks his own admission and recommends the state throw more money at a failing system.
“Because of the Supreme Court’s endless spending spree with the public’s money, New Jersey residents bear the highest total tax burden in the nation. The State of New Jersey is broke, the well has run dry and the taxpayers are beyond being fed up.
“We are in this position because the Court in its infinite wisdom failed to follow the clear text of the State Constitution. The obligation to fund a ‘thorough and efficient system of free education’ is the Legislature’s alone, not the Court’s. The Legislature must address the root causes of poorly performing districts rather than hoping that money will make them go away.”

PMC: Pennsylvania Courts Belong To People

Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts (PMC), reacting to the federal jury’s recent verdict in the trial of former Luzerne County judge Mark Ciavarella, urged the public to “Take back our courthouses.”
Executive Director Lynn A. Marks explained that “Courthouses belong to the people. Judges, court staff, and attorneys are there to serve the system, not to manipulate it for personal gain.” Tragically, this fundamental proposition was completely turned upside down in Luzerne County.
Deputy Director Shira Goodman explained that the public must now act to ensure that the lessons from the Luzerne County scandal will resonate across the Commonwealth. “It reminds us all of our own responsibility for our institutions of government and teaches that when something looks off, we must ask questions.”
PMC encourages the people of Pennsylvania to continue to question how this scandal was allowed to be perpetrated, and how safeguards in the justice system failed to prevent, or at least catch the problems, before the rights of innumerable children and their families were violated. It is time to implement changes that will forestall such abuses of power in the future. PMC urges that “We, the public, must call on our leaders in the Governor’s office, the legislature and the Supreme Court to make sure this happens.”
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts is a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to promote the reform of Pennsylvania’s judicial system. www.pmconline.org.

Ex NJ Judicial Biggy Gets Job At Pol-Linked Firm

Over at Politics Patrol, Bob Ingle has the scoop on the future of former New Jersey Supreme Court Justice John Wallace -- the man who Governor Chris Christie failed to renominate.
Hey, don't feel sorry for Wallace.
He just landed a job with a major South Jersey law firm -- one that's extremely well-connected politically.
Here's how Ingle tells it:

John Wallace Jr., the man Gov. Christie refused to re-nominate for the state Supreme Court, has found a job with a politically connected law firm. He will work with Brown & Connery in Westmont. A partner in that firm, William Tambussi, made $50,200 in campaign donations in 2009, including $7,200 to a PAC called The Leaders Fund which is tied to the Boss George Norcross Democratic organization. The firm’s clients include the DRPA, the Delaware River & Bay Authority, South Jersey Port Corporation, municipal governments, school districts and county agencies across South Jersey.

So, now that the final chapter of the Wallace saga seems to have been written, why are the Democrats who control the NJ State Senate still dragging their feet on the nomination of his successor - Anne Patterson? Why?
Patterson was nominated many months ago but the Senate won't even hold hearings on her nomination.
What are the Democrats trying to prove with this senseless, stubborn maneuver?
Wallace has moved on.
Why can't the Democrats in the Senate do the same?
Click here to read more from Bob Ingle.

PA Judges Must Restore Trust In Courts

Our friends Shira Goodman and Lynn Marks had a great opinion piece in yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer.
Here's part of what they said:

There is a troubling disconnect between the courts and the public. The recent media reports about rules governing judicial ethics, policies on gifts to judges, and benefits such as car leases for appellate judges demonstrate this clearly. Both judges and members of the public are frustrated that those on the other side of the bench don't seem to understand the key points. As this disconnect persists, collaboration between those who use the courts and those who work in the courts becomes more elusive.
It is often said that people don't really understand what judges and courts do and the special role they play. Judges, court personnel, lawyers, and bar associations have an obligation to fill this information gap.

Click here to read the rest of this fine commentary. It's worth your attention.
And, while you're at it click here to visit Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts.