When citizens appear before a judge, it's crucial that they believe they will receive fair, impartial justice according to law. That's one of the highest values prized by the court system. Public confidence in the integrity of courts is a cornerstone of our entire system of government.
That's why the recent Minnesota Supreme Court decision in the case of First District Judge Timothy Blakely is so baffling. The Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards recommended that he be fired. But last week, the state's highest court suspended and censured Blakely for misconduct, stopping short of removing him from the bench.
The misconduct involves a $64,000 discount Blakely received on fees from his divorce lawyer. In 17 instances over the course of four years, Blakely referred people who appeared before him in his family law courtroom to his lawyer, Christine Stroemer, for mediation or related services. He failed to tell them that Stroemer was his attorney and that he had run up a large bill with her firm.
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A Serious Betrayal of Public Trust
Discipline means punishment. Too often judges just get a temporary removal from the bench - and often with pay. Rarely - almost never - does the discipline committe take away a judge's expected retirement.
ReplyDeleteThe result? Judges run amok. They know they will be protected by their bretheren.
Citizens continue to suffer because bad judges sit on the bench. It's got to stop.
Great editorial!
ReplyDeleteWhen judges aren't held accountable, the public trust has certainly been betrayed.
ReplyDeleteTimothy Blakely should be off the bench.
Now, let's wonder why he's not. Could it be his friends at the discipline committee?
Reminds me of good ole' Swindle Windle from Texas!
ReplyDeleteBoth made of the same cloth!
Well written editorial and I hope it fires up enough people to get Timothy Blakely off the bench.
ReplyDeleteAs expressed by the other comments, we need to take a hard look at the discipline committees as to why they allow judges like Blakely to continue.
This country is in a free fall, downward spiral - SPLAT!
ReplyDeleteThere was a judge in NY who was using her fiduciary appointment powers as her personal piggybank, giving her accountant appointments instead of paying for her accounting services.
ReplyDeleteShe got caught and got a slap on the wrist.
The problem with the discipline agencies is - they're lawyers! All judges are card-carrying lawyers!