- Quickdraw McLaw
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As we mentioned in the prior post, the Las Vegas Review Journal is currently working with Downey Research on gathering data for its 2013 Judicial Performance Evaluation. For those of you that may be unaware, this information is usually published in the RJ as a series called “Judging the Judges” that lets voters in our community know what lawyers think about our elected judges. In other words, its our best chance to inform the electorate who should stay and who should go.
We strongly encourage your participation in the survey, as the more lawyers that participate, the more accurate the data. Sorry, paralegals and secretaries, you have to be a lawyer to participate, but please encourage your attorneys to take the online survey. If you have not yet received your invitation to participate in the survey, but would like one, please contact Nancy Downey at (702) 461-9571 or nancy@downeyresearch.com.
Useless exercise. This informs almost no one. The average Las Vegas resident can't understand anything more complex than a big road-side campaign poster with someone's name and an airbrushed picture on it. The manner in which our judges are selected is absurd.
We have a ridiculous system. With Sandra Day O'Connor's help, and the recent memory of Elizabeth "Frying Pan" Halverson, I really thought (hoped) we would move to an appointment system in 2010. But, incredibly, the RJ came out against the plan. (But did vote Olive Garden the best italian food).
The RJ's idealized philosophy of Libertarianism (let the people decide) is fine in theory, but in practice the result is an incompetent judiciary. Statistics from other states that operate on a merit based / appointment system strongly suggest judges who ascend to the bench in this manner are more likely to perform better than their elected counterparts.
The ineptitude of the judges in this state simply sucks the joy out of the practice of law. They do rely on either the law or common sense, but instead guide their decisions with their unyielding allegiance to the fund raising dollars. No matter how right your position, just your cause, or strong your argument, make no mistake, they know who gave what and guide their decisions accordingly.
Agree, Judging the Judges is nothing but an exercise in futility. Typically the only way a judge, no matter how bad, leaves the bench is through a retirement, unless it is something as egregious as Halverson (and basically that's the only one I can think of at least in District Court). The small number of the general public (and legal community) who even bother to read the survey (let alone vote based on it) is overshadowed by those who see the billboards/roadside signs and just vote for the one they see the most often. Added to this is that almost no judges ever face an election (for a variety of reasons, be it fundraising, not wanting to face the consequences of a losing challenge or whatever). All of these factors together and you get the local judiciary.
As a libertarian myself, I rub up against the mantra of "let the people decide" because of this exact thing. The plebs that put and keep imbeciles in office and on the bench also kept up from a much needed intermediate appellate court.
I agree with 9:12. It's a waste of time. I threw mine in the garbage.
10:13 – kind of like "none of the above" on the Nevada ballot — gratifying for a moment, maybe, but pointless if you want your views considered.
I received my invitation. I've got a lot of problems with the district court civil judges and now the community is going to hear about it!
It does make a difference, even if just a small difference. The Judges who care read it. Yes, some do care. Furthermore it provides grist for challengers to take on the lowly rated judges.
I agree with 12:39. I think judges can make course corrections and that this is true not just of bad judges but good ones too. Also, if you don't respond as to the ones you think are doing a good job, you are giving up your voice to the people who may not like the judge. Every case someone wins or loses. The question is whether you got a legally sound, fair shake.
I am not a lawyer, but I do look at this. You should still fill out the survey it seems to reflect what is going on. Not all voters are idjits.
Here is the OPINION I have formed after dealing with a District Court Judge and a Family Court Judge.
District Court: Justice is not just blind but also ignorant. Much is determined by lawyers themselves and back room dealings. They know exactly that each are not held accountable for their actions/unprofessionalism and they get away with all until there is no more money in the till and then it's such a sorry skewing of a decision that one can only wonder and sets one's head on a 360 degree swivel.
Business or the largest contributor seems to get the better deal. Reasonable legal fee awards are one 10th of the monies actually spent (that should be the consumer's Come To Jesus clarification.
Malpractice cases: the expert witness does not get paid (because they are from Cal. the bills are inflated with nonsense services and then the case may be either settled for the cost or… is lost all together. The later of these options takes a really lazy and dumb sack of bones. One, even the lawyers don't respect… a mud-graveler Not willing to work, no integrity, no intelligence to even cheat. If it is a Medical or Dental Mal-Practice issue, file with their licensing board and stay with it. You will have better justice than in a court of law. To be Continued…
Continued Opinion:
Family Court: the current philosophy is to 'keep the family together'. It does not matter if the mother neglects the child's education, programs the child to say and do things or suffer retribution, uses drugs to incapacitation and advertises herself as an independent Las Vegas Entertainer. Posts herself and her then 6 year old child on the sex site FUBAR with her boobs/nipples showing in the same picture. Comments were 'uugh' 'ahhm' and 'you walk the streets of Las Vegas'? I am not sure if she advertised a two-fer with a child or what other perversion. The now 10year old and an almost 12 year old boys sleep in the same bed with their bio-mother, because she is dying and can not be left alone as the kids must always watch over her (so they are told). (mental duress). Oh, But Right 'WE MUST KEEP THE FAMILY TOGETHER'. Right, she claimed to be an abused spouse (although she screwed around for many of the years of their marriage). No documentation or bases to the abuse. Three sworn statements that she was the abuser and the Lawyer for the Domestic Victims organization fired her after the first court appearance.' Unfounded' claims. Fraud against the Welfare Department and falsification of signatures (several of each), Lied to DAs office. Theft and Wire-fraud…etc… Oh yes, 'we must keep the family together'… no doubt. The boys eat if they cook something for themselves… if something is available. 2 meals in school and a third in the evening if something is brought over from the Senior Meals left over, which could not be delivered (also theft because what is not delivered must be returned to their distribution center)… (by her good friend)Each time the children need medical care including glasses it is a dance of vile language and threats.She has never been billed for any care and has refused to allow care for her oldest son AT NO EXPENSE TO HER, WHICH WOULD HAVE HELPED STRENGTHEN HIS VISION. Withholding of the boys because she decided that they were in danger with the father (proved to be false. She was informed of this when she affixed her signature to the complaint).
Problem: No ordered counselling for the bio-mother or the children (suggested yes, but not ordered)50% custodial rights INSTEAD OF VISITATION PRIVILEGES. IN COURT ROOMS LIKE THIS, GOOD PEROPLE, IS WHERE OUR NEXT GENERATION OF PRISON INMATES ARE BRED. Human Protoplasm does not fit into a standard mold. Genetic make-make-up, environmental molding, age, psychological maturity, just to mention a few variables MUST BE CONSIDERED, Judge Arthur T. Ritchie, Jr.
Judge Ritchie, you have denied communicating with the co-dependent counselor for Safe Nest, in behalf of the self proclaimed abuse victim, yet, you have addressed one specific item which was not in any of the pleadings. Where did yOu get this information from? You made a special point to state that you would not rule on this because you thought it was not necessary? A public Organization like Safe Nest appears not to have any statistics on the care and clientele of men and children. Are they not abused in Nevada? My contributions are dry for this organization and I am passing the word. Give Directly to families in need or do your research.
Concealment and willful withholding of children from their custodial parent is a Felony. Why have there not been any sanctions?
Do You Even READ AND FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH A CASE INVOLVING CHILDREN ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH DOCUMENTED LEARNING SDISABILITIES?
But Fear Not. Legal, Protective, Medical, and Educational competence are all trending into the same downward slope. We are all consumers of one or the other at any given time in our life. Cheers!!!
Well here's my evaluation on Ochoa;
He's incompetent and I know that there can't possibly be someone ready to contradict that statement. Judge Ochoa please retire and let someone who actually knows the law preside on your bench. Go home , if you can find it. Lost is how I best describe what I think of him and his prejudicial behAvior. Please some One step in and give someone some hope on receiving a fair judgement instead of the joke it will become if he has anything to do with it.