Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Harvard Law School grad and Chief Justice of the Middlesex Juvenile Ct appointed “Child Advocate”

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What Judge Garinger, who leaves a secure and powerful role as a presiding judge had to say was quoted here:

http://www.bostonnow.com/news/…

Judge Garinger’s online profile is sparse:

http://www.mass.gov/courts/cou…

According to the press coverage, Garinger begins as child advocate on April 28, 2008.  I presume she will have an entire staff and rule book to create.

Will her role be more like an ombudsman, an inspector general, or a prosecutor?  Time will tell and I, and many others, will be watching.

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Comments

  1. Great lead in the story of our new child advocate in Marie Szaniszlo article in the Herald today.

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    What does it take to convince a judge to leave her secure, well-paid job?

    Try less money, more work and the chance of a lifetime to make a difference.

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    p>Nancy Scannell from the Mass Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children says it for all of us.

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    “Our hope is that this new office will be a strong, independent voice that will restore transparency and public confidence in the child-welfare system,”

    • Certainly, one of the difficulties in being a judge for an outspoken person would be the “muzzle” as to public comment.

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      p>This is worst in the Juvenile Court where all proceedings are “closed” and all judgments, findings and orders are impounded.

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      p>In my written testimony concerning changes to the legislation that controls child welfare, including the “court bits” I recommended that all of these proceedings be “open” as criminal proceedings and divorce proceedings are – UNLESS a Motion to Impound is filed with Affidavits and allowed.

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      p>Again, the closed proceedings and impounded results do NOT protect children or families; the closure and impoundment protect invidious social agendas, sloppy judgecraft and biased lawyering.  

  2. Shouldn’t the governor define what a high paying job like this means and does.

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    p>Should Governor Deluxe; oh, Deval; be creating jobs like this during tight budget times.  But when you’re trying to get folks away from focusing on your screw-ups, anything that will change the subject goes.

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