Complaints related to the N.C. Judicial Standards Commission
This forum is designed to encourage judicial reform. Justice is a right of all citizens not just a privilege of the wealthy and powerful.
Please feel free to post any comments that reveal defects in judgment or abuse of power related to the commission listed above. We also encourage posting issues related to unjust laws (keep in mind that there is a difference between a bad law and a bad judge).
If you are bursting with emotion and feel a need to rant/rave, please feel free (add "RANT" as the first line of your post).
Be aware that most judges have a difficult job and they do well in most instances -- if a mistake was made, the best method of preventing future mistakes of a similar nature is adopting a calm, long-term resolution to correct the error and applying pressure on the judicial system through legitimate sources.
Also, be aware that any posts that are libelous or harassing are prohibited on this site - keep in mind during any rants that describing your feelings about injustices is fine, however, allegations of wrongdoing should be supported by facts.
TIPS: -Obtain advise from an attorney regarding your legal options. -Wait a few days before making public allegations. -Avoid letting your passion make you sound crazed. -Carefully list all the injustices that you feel occurred. -Separate the facts from the feelings. -Research and gather support for your facts and feelings. -Determine which points are most important to you. -Think about which points could be most effective at creating reform (and realize that these are not necessarily the same points that are most important to you). -Pursue your legal options to the fullest extent reasonable. -Complain to the Judicial Standards Commission (if appropriate) -- it appears unlikely that the Commission will take any action (this forum was created after two complaints were dismissed without further investigation that alleged a total of approximately 64 violations of the North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct by a Chief District Court Judge in NC). -The judiciary hates public attention drawn to its flaws. -Make your feelings or arguments known to the local media - call an appropriate news radio or talk television program with your issues - write a letter to the editor to a local newspaper. -Sticking to your talking points and using supported arguments will greatly increase the chances of affecting judicial behavior. -Feel free to ask for help writing a complaint or letter to the editor. -Don't give up until you feel satisfied that you have made a difference.
Complaints against the JSC may become somewhat moot after a recent law:
"House Bill 652 strips the Judicial Standards Commission of its authority to issue public reprimands and places all forms of public discipline in the hands of the North Carolina Supreme Court."
[Of course, after a preliminary look at the bill, it appears that the investigative and "confidential" provisions for the JSC remain in place; meaning that the potential abuses may actually become worse. It is unclear why the N.C. General Assembly stripped the JSC of punishment power while leaving them as an allegedly obtuse/inefficient investigative body with a bias towards inaction/coverup.]
Wanda G. Bryant, Chair, Court of Appeals, Raleigh W. Douglas Parsons, Vice-Chair, Superior Court, Clinton Tanya T. Wallace, Vice-Chair, Superior Court, Rockingham Rebecca W. Blackmore, District Court, Wilmington Wayne L. Michael, District Court, Lexington
Attorney Members
Edward T. Hinson, Jr., Charlotte L.P. Hornthal, Jr., Elizabeth City William H. Jones, Jr., Ahoskie Fred H. Moody, Jr., Bryson City
Citizen Members
Gregory H. Greene, Lexington Art B. Schools, Jr., Emerald Isle Lorraine G. Stephens, Raleigh R. Wayne Troutman, Concord
Commission Staff
Executive Director, Chris Heagarty Commission Counsel, Jameson Marks
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