[Vision2020] News from HALT

[lfalen]

See section on finding a lawyer in Idaho.

Roger
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From: HALT--An Organization of Americans for Legal Reform ejournal at halt.org
Date: Mon, 14 May 2007 10:36:17 -0700
To: lfalen at turbonet.com
Subject: [Spam] News from HALT

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The HALT eJOURNAL
May 14, 2007

In This Issue
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Quick Links

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Give to HALT [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kl68o4bab.0.ef5ws9n6.jozwjwn6.2412&ts=S0250&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.halt.org%2Fgive_to_halt%2F]
The Legal Reformer: HALT's Quarterly Newsletter [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kl68o4bab.0.ff5ws9n6.jozwjwn6.2412&ts=S0250&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.halt.org%2Fthe_legal_reformer%2F]
Online Legal Self-Help Resources [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kl68o4bab.0.cd8j84bab.jozwjwn6.2412&ts=S0250&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.halt.org%2Flic%2F]
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as itemized deductions against our taxable income, thus lowering our overall tax
bill. But to ensure that your gifts are deductible, you must be sure to document
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A Gift for Every Objective
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Dear Roger,
Welcome to HALT's eJournal,
a bimonthly newsletter featuring updates on our recent activities,
nationwide legal news and helpful information for legal consumers.

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HALT Announces Worst Judicial Disability Web Sites

The Dirty Half Dozen


HALT's 2007 study of judicial disability Web sites found that the vast majority of
sites provide scant information, content that is difficult to navigate and confusing
instructions.  While almost all judicial disability Web sites require critical updates
and improvements, sites in North Carolina, Colorado, Montana, Hawaii, Oklahoma and
Tennessee are HALT's Dirty Half Dozen.

Tied for Worst Web Site are North Carolina's Judicial Standard Commission [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kl68o4bab.0.0.jozwjwn6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nccourts.org%2FCourts%2FCRS%2FCouncils%2FStandards.asp&id=preview]
and Colorado's Commission on Judicial Discipline [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kl68o4bab.0.0.jozwjwn6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.courts.state.co.us%2Fsupct%2Fcommittees%2Fjudicialdiscipline.htm&id=preview],
which merely provide bare references to their judicial disability commissions without
explaining the process.  Ill-treated litigants unfortunately leave the site without
learning much more than that the judicial disability system exists.

The Judicial Standards Commission of Montana [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kl68o4bab.0.0.jozwjwn6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fcourts.mt.gov%2Fsupreme%2Fboards%2Fjsc.asp&id=preview]
and Oklahoma's Council on Judicial Complaints [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kl68o4bab.0.0.jozwjwn6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.okbar.org%2Fpublic%2Fjudges%2Fcouncil.htm&id=preview]
fail to provide complaint forms or even basic information on how to file a complaint.

Providing just token information, Missouri's Commission on Retirement, Removal, and
Discipline [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kl68o4bab.0.0.jozwjwn6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.courts.mo.gov%2Fpage.asp%3Fid%3D230&id=preview]
offers basic complaint forms but absolutely no guidance on what occurs after the
complaint is filed.  To understand the grounds for misconduct and gain familiarity
with how the system operates, legal consumers need to have access to the procedural
rules, the Code of Judicial Conduct and past public discipline decisions.

One of the most poorly designed sites is hosted by Ohio's Office of Disciplinary
Council [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kl68o4bab.0.0.jozwjwn6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sconet.state.oh.us%2Fodc%2Fdefault.asp&id=preview].
 Its online resources are confusing and difficult to search.

"Having lots of data on a Web site accomplishes nothing unless the navigation is
user-friendly," explained HALT Senior Counsel Suzanne M. Blonder.

Strikingly, five states-Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine and New Jersey-do not
host any online resources related to their judicial disability systems.

"In an era in which most Americans obtain their information online, it's shameful
that so many states do not provide even the most basic Web site about how to file
a complaint against a judge," stated Blonder.  "Citizens in those states are left
scratching their heads when they turn to the Internet for resources after a judge
has abused his authority."

Stay tuned for HALT's 2007 Judicial Accountability Report Card, which will evaluate
judicial disability systems in all 50 states and the District of Columbia on a variety
of factors.  In addition to ranking the states' Web sites, the Report Card will assess
the systems' rates of investigation and discipline, lay participation, promptness
in responding to complaints and other critical factors.
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Judges Without Justice

Monterey Superior Court Judge Velásquez Removed from Bench

One year after ethics charges were filed against a judge who engaged in an egregious
pattern of misconduct, the California Commission of Judical Performance removed Monterey
County Superior Court Judge Jose Velásquez on April 25, 2007.

The Commission's decision found that Velásquez "has infringed on the constitutional
rights of numerous defendants and transgressed the limits of his authority, often
in a capricious and malicious manner."

His offenses include increasing sentences for probation violators without due process,
punishing those on trial whose attorneys were late, addressing defendants in a language
they did not understand and joking about jail time with accused persons.

The decision, which becomes final in 30 days, leaves Velásquez ineligible to serve
as a judge.

The decision marks the first time the Commission has removed a judge from Monterey
Superior Court.

For more on the decision and Velásquez's misconduct, click here [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kl68o4bab.0.kd8j84bab.jozwjwn6.2412&ts=S0250&p=http%3A%2F%2Fthecalifornian.com%2Fapps%2Fpbcs.dll%2Farticle%3FAID%3D%2F20070426%2FNEWS01%2F704260328%2F1002].
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Legal News Roundup

Landlord-Tenant Mediation Pilot Program Approved in Florida

On March 28, the Tallahassee City Commission unanimously approved a mediation pilot
program aimed at college students but that is open to all tenants and landlords wishing
to participate. The free program, which will use the volunteer services of certified
mediators, provides the chance to settle minor disputes out of court before they
escalate. The Tallahassee mediation program currently requires a case be pending
before the court, a $75 fee and a month-long wait.

"I think it (encourages) the landlords and rental agencies to come sit at the table,"
Clinton Mitchell, a former Florida State University student said.

For more on the program, click here [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kl68o4bab.0.ld8j84bab.jozwjwn6.2412&ts=S0250&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tallahassee.com%2Fapps%2Fpbcs.dll%2Farticle%3FAID%3D%2F20070329%2FNEWS01%2F703290358%2F1010].

Looking for a Lawyer in Idaho?


The Idaho State Bar recently launched an online Lawyer Referral Service Database
sorted by category, such as bankruptcy or estate planning. All attorneys listed in
the database are in good standing with the Idaho State Bar, carry professional liability
insurance, and have agreed to provide prospective clients with an initial $35.00
half-hour office consultation.

To find an Idaho lawyer, click here [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kl68o4bab.0.md8j84bab.jozwjwn6.2412&ts=S0250&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.state.id.us%2Fisb%2Flrs%2Flrs_search_panel.asp].


California Students Help Pro Se Litigants

Undergraduate students from San Francisco State, California State University East
Bay and U.C. Berkeley are currently working together to help California pro se litigants
at court-based, self-help centers around the Bay Area. Students participating in
JusticeCorps, a program that began in 2004, are required to provide 300 hours of
service in a year at these self-help centers on issues such as small claims, evictions,
harassment charges and family law.

"California is experiencing an explosion in the number of individuals appearing in
court without legal representation in many legal matters, ranging from family law
to housing issues," Administrative Director of the Courts William C. Vickrey said.
"JusticeCorps members will provide the court staff and legal aid attorneys working
in self-help centers much-needed assistance to meet the growing demand for services."

To read more about the program, click here [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kl68o4bab.0.nd8j84bab.jozwjwn6.2412&ts=S0250&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfsu.edu%2F%7Enews%2F2007%2Fspring%2F30.htm].

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