On Wednesday the Sacramento NBC affiliate, KCRA, ran a segment on the embarrassing revelation that the AOC has apparently allowed an employee to telecommute from Geneva, Switzerland in violation of its own policies. In fact, the story points out that this lawyer will be permitted to telecommute until April 2013.
Although the AOC refused the request to answer questions on air, they did refer the reporter to a recent YouTube posting wherein the Chief Justice discusses the SEC report. The story includes footage of the Chief Justice’s remarks.
You can view the KCRA segment by clicking on this link. Please note that it may take some time to load depending on your computer. The segment lasts approximately three and a half minutes.
Directors, Alliance of California Judges
____________________________
Official seal of County of Shasta
Jumpin’ Jack Halpin is at it again, courtesy of those fine public servants at the AOC.
Here’s the problem: The same year this writer was born in 1964 , Judge Jack Halpin retired from the Shasta County bench after have only served two years. Thirty years away from the bench later he joins the AOC assigned Judges Program. Apparently, he was needed to staff this position only because because he went to school with Sandra Day O’Connor. This program is designed to fill the gaps temporarily where judicial officers are needed for short periods of time. This program was not designed to re-appoint the same individual to the same court in perpetuity for NINETEEN YEARS.
The article clearly states that Judge Greg Gaul will be taking up the family law calendar and assigning cases to assigned judges on a rotating basis.
And WHO is the “rotating assigned judge” that is getting these family law cases in exchange for a scratch our back and we’ll scratch yours new courthouse?
That’s right, soon going on his TWENTIETH YEAR of in-perpetuity assignment under the AOC assigned judges program is “Jumpin’ Jack Halpin” as the only assigned judge being rotated into Shasta Court.
And they wonder why the public and the judiciary has lost confidence in the AOC and their programs.
unionman575
July 20, 2012
JCW – Simply outstanding work! A tip of my hat to you!
😉
unionman575
July 20, 2012
Teflon Jack just won’t re-retire. Is that a word??? LOL
unionman575
July 20, 2012
unionman575
July 20, 2012
From: Judge Russell Kussman, Los Angeles Superior Court (Van Nuys)
To: Invitations
Subject: Comments on the Strategic Evaluation Committee Report
Date: Friday, July 20, 2012
————————————————————————————————————————
Our branch reminds me of an old man suffering from chronic disease who, after years of neglect coupled with a recent exacerbation, is finally in extremis. His family, at its wits’ end, takes him to the Mayo Clinic where they ask the best and brightest specialists for help. These physicians thoroughly evaluate him; arrive at a diagnosis; and recommend immediate and practical therapy. But when they return home, instead of promptly executing the treatment plan, the loving family sends the Mayo Clinic report out to doctors of all kinds around the state asking for their review and comments. A well-meaning gesture, no doubt — much like this “Invitation to Comment” on the SEC Report. A few of its recipients (myself excluded) probably have the knowledge and expertise to give a helpful critique. But does anyone believe that comments from general judicial practitioners across California can generate a compelling rebuttal to the thorough and well-reasoned SEC report? Much less a cogent, viable alternative plan? I mean, thanks for asking. I’m flattered. But can we get on with it?
Adopt the SEC Recommendations now.
Wendy Darling
July 20, 2012
Actually, Judge Kussman, what branch “leadership” is doing is more akin to having a third autopsy done to confirm that the old man is really dead, because they just don’t want to accept it. The first autopsy being the audit of CCMS and the AOC by Elaine Howle and the Bureau of State Audits. The second autopsy being the SEC report. Not satisfied, branch leadership now wants a third autopsy to see if they can get someone to say what they want to hear, that the old man has risen from the dead, and in disregard of the first two autopsies, that will be what they go with.
Meanwhile, the rest of us will be holding our hands over our faces because the stench of the rotting body has become overwhelming.
Long live the ACJ.
JusticeCalifornia
July 20, 2012
Well Wendy, now that you put it that way. . . .I guess this all ties together. The CJ/JC/AOC are suffering from never-can-goodbye syndrome. No disrespect intended to the Jackson 5 for linking them and their classic hit to the troubled cj/jc/aoc in this manner.
JusticeCalifornia
July 20, 2012
oops, I meant to say: The CJ/JC/AOC are suffering from never-can-SAY-goodbye syndrome.
Wendy Darling
July 20, 2012
Hey, Justice California, maybe Shasta should just schedule an annual Jack Halpin “Retirement” Party, and the Chief Justice can send the AOC’s own “Never Can Say Goodbye” guy, Bill Vickrey, as the Master of Ceremonies. As part of the entertainment, Vickrey and Halpin can publicly burn the part of the State Constitution that says judges are supposed to be elected.
Long live the ACJ.
unionman575
July 20, 2012
Grand Jury…NIce!
From: Judge John Fisher
To: Invitations
Subject: My comment
Date: Friday, July 20, 2012 1:16:27 PM
I join in the position that urges swift implementation of the Committee’s recommendation. Moreover, I believe its altogether appropriate that someone in a position to cause a Grand Jury Investigation, (or Little Hoover Commission) into the CCMS debacle, do so.
Michael Paul
July 20, 2012
I know just the man for the job. Moreover he is willing, available and delivers credible work.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Freeh
The probe needs to be deep, the probe needs to be thorough and the probe needs to be
C R E D I B L E
JusticeCalifornia
July 20, 2012
Love that idea, Michael.
His last report indicates he is well qualified to investigate the CCMS debacle. . . .and?
JusticeCalifornia
July 20, 2012
Thanks for posting about Halpin, JCW. It is unbelievable that the CJ is still signing off on Halpin’s 19-year long “temporary” assignment to the Shasta County court — over the objections of Shasta County residents who gained national recognition for their protest about Halpin.
Why are Judicial Council members and the CJ and the AOC going along with a) creating media hype about an assigned judge’s second fake retirement and then b) perpetuating this patent, in-your-face 19-year-long abuse of the AOC’s assigned judges program? To prove they can? To prove no one is going to tell them what to do? People, the ink isn’t dry on the budget and top leadership is once again spitting into the wind, taping “KICK US” signs to the branch backside, and inviting MORE budget cuts.
Mike Feuer has ALREADY suggested cutting $20 million from the assigned judges program.
https://judicialcouncilwatcher.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/a-los-angeles-assemblyman-agrees-with-downsizing-the-aoc/
Hey Assemblymember Feuer, I guess top leadership thinks you can take your idea about the assigned judges program and shove it. Doesn’t the Legislature get it yet? Doesn’t the public get it yet? No one is going to tell Tani Cantil-Sakauye or the Judicial Council or the AOC what to do.
And that goes for that telecommuting lawyer in Switzerland too. We now know from the media that top leadership has no intention of bouncing him.
I do hope this State’s judges are paying attention. . .this display of wanton defiance is exactly why the branch is where it is right now, and why IT IS GOING TO GET WORSE.
JusticeCalifornia
July 20, 2012
On the other hand:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018700279_aphifederaljudgesconference1stldwritethru.html
courtflea
July 20, 2012
JCW, I recommend that you not post your birth year again, you may lose your street cred with us older folks 🙂
Judicial Council Watcher
July 20, 2012
Worry not, there are several of us that write for JCW. Most younger, a few older. Key Words “This Author”
margaret crandell
July 21, 2012
This is a travesty. Knowing the fact that the judge. Waa takimg advantage of a “good old boy system that rewards whom you are connected with than the law. This burns me up. My friend;s child was”abducted” by an uncaring ciourt official. Shame on you, Judge Halpin.
sunlight
July 21, 2012
currently there are 19 assigned judges sitting on the bench in the Los Angeles Superior Court, a court which recently closed over 50 courtrooms.
unionman575
July 21, 2012
There are about to be a lot less assigned judges in LASC from my info.
😉
Alan Ernesto Phillips
July 22, 2012
THANK YOU JCW!! for posting and recognizing the AOC/JC/CJ involvement in the “assigned judges” problem. People need to also take serious notice of the PUBLIC COMMENTERS in that fluff-piece (linked above). I only wish other marginalized commenters – from EVERY county – could reach those reviewing the SEC movement. My family continues to suffer under the abuses of the abusers/enablers of the assigned judges program.
This was an almost cathartic read for me and mine. I say almost, because of the inherit PTSD that occurs to those of us who meet wrongdoing from the top-to-bottom, dysfunctional elements within our otherwise good judiciary; we have little to celebrate… yet.
The AOC has repeatedly stated Halpin is off the bench… The current Shasta County Presiding Judge has categorically – in a letter to me – stated that Halpin is off the bench. (I wonder if they think I’ll just go away.) I would venture the JC and even Tani would make that same bluff. But get me on the stand and I make a false claim… it’s contempt, fines, loss of my last child, and jail!
I say that Bias and Retaliation (and some say kick-backs) are the hallmarks of Shasta County-style justice. Yet, I still so want to believe that if the playing field were truly even, if Court Reporters were assigned to the courtrooms (more than assigned judges are), then the TRUE best interests of our most vulnerable children and families would be better served in having some form of motivation for ethical conduct and accountability. It is absolutely AMAZING to me to see just how pissed-off and politically-correct our judges get when I can afford to have a Court Reporter in the room. Yet it shouldn’t have to be that way.
Today is the 499th Day since my oldest daughter was illegally abducted from my youngest daughter and me by Halpin and Co., et al. No abuse and no neglect. Just long-term retaliation for my being an outspoken advocate for positive Family Law reforms. Still, no contact is allowed to us under Halpin’s and AOC-enabled mediation service’s – out of due process – dictates.
Thank you again JCW… we NEEDED that validation for what we have been screaming out loud about for many years. Thank you…
JusticeCalifornia
July 22, 2012
Indeed, after reading the public comments to the news story about Halpin’s latest faux retirement linked above, one has to ask why on earth a) Halpin remains on the AOC’s elite retired assigned judges list, and b) the Chief Justice, Judicial Councilmember Stephen Baker and the AOC continue to knowingly and intentionally force the Shasta public to appear before this man. Seriously– why? And why aren’t the judges of this state standing up to say this is wrong?
Linda Gutierrez
July 24, 2012
Good Piece Alan! and as you know, I have lived and witnessed the denial of you being a good parent and father by the Shasta County Courty System “Halpin”. You can always count me in for any kind of help or getting the word out on this corrupt system!