Judge Agnes says 12- 20 courthouses will close Maybe your courthouse in North Adams, or Ayer, or Fall River or Gardner, or Concord or Palmer or Barnstable will be the next one to turn out its lights. As the Courthouse lights go out, I think … [Read more...]
Overide the vetos of trial court funds – restore access to Justice – WITH POLL!
I hand filed a divorce for a new client today. I hand filed it because at this court they have less then 60% of the staff the staffing study says is needed - and it is taking weeks for mail to be opened and processed. Despite hand … [Read more...]
There are $140 million in vetoes by Gov. Patrick
You can find the vetoes by agency or line item within Budget tracking It is noteworthy to me that the already underfunded judicial branch was further cut by 18 million dollars. As it is, I cannot get timely hearings for parents who … [Read more...]
Second Draft for replacing Article VIII of the Draft Platform regarding access to justice, etc.
This is still a work in progress; this draft shadows the format of the Draft Platform better and is, I hope clearer. The Amendment would seek to strike out what is currently in the Draft Platform as Aritcle VIII and insert the … [Read more...]
Proposed Amendment to Article VIII of the Draft Democratic Platform – lets talk about JUSTICE
What bothered me, personally, the most about the draft platform is that while it had plenty to say about "tough on crime" and law enforcement, the Draft Platform says nothing about access to justice, nothing about an independent judiciary, … [Read more...]
Please add an “Access to Justice” section to the Democratic Platform
And I requested the addition of "access to justice" as one of the areas of the Democratic Platform. Without access to the courts to enforce rights, or be protected against state action, no citizen has any rights at all. I note that … [Read more...]
Is it any wonder this honorably discharged veteran and loving father said “The HELL with Mass”?
As to back story, the Father in a case I had is an honorably discharged veteran who was the veteran of the year in the state where he now lives. That was the year after Massachusetts terminated his parental rights to his first born … [Read more...]
Many justice-related foundations closing due to the Madoff Ponzi scheme
Just when you thought the news could not get worse, it turns out that foundations and groups who acted as watch dogs for justice also had their funds managed by Bernie Made-off* with the money: Robert Crane, president of the New York-based … [Read more...]
ICE agents trolling in District Courts – WARNING
I consider this very serious development. This could impact access to justice. Women could be afraid to file restraining orders. Witnesses and victimes alike could become afraid to testify. This has not hit the press … [Read more...]
Our State has NO rules of Evidence! But a DRAFT SET is posted for notice and comment NOW
At any event, don't count on someone else to notice and comment for you.Again, all that is needed for a bad result is that YOU do not do your part.The deadline is October 5, 2007 - so there is time to participate. … [Read more...]