Wednesday, October 6, 2010

TN: Lawyers Talk About Judicial Mistreatment

Lawyers and citizens were on the witness stand to talk about not only how they were mistreated by judges but what happened after they complained in a special hearing Tuesday, which was part of an official examination into how judges are disciplined in Tennessee.

John Jay Kooker, a constitutional lawyer who ran for governor three times, sued former Gov. Don Sundquist for hosting fundraisers in the governor's mansion. His suit was called frivolous, he was fined $5,000 and his license was revoked.

He wanted his judge investigated, but it didn't happen.

The story held weight with state Sen. Doug Jackson.

"If we are looking for specific examples for a potential problem, this might very well be one of those examples," Jackson said.

The special judiciary committee is studying how judges are reprimanded and what needs to change.

Their recommendations could lead to new laws. Many in state government said they think judges are given too much special treatment, such as private reprimands and being allowed to stay on cases where they have been found to have acted inappropriately.

Full Article and Source:
Lawyers Talk About Judicial Mistreatment

See Also:
Tennessee Lawmakers Consider Making Judicial Discipline Public

5 comments:

Thelma said...

Yes, yes, yes, for open discipline.

How can a citizen possibly know who/what he/she is voting for if it's not open?

Enough coverups!

StandUp said...

Now we're talking. When the lawyers are upset, the legislature listens.

Victims can complain all day and nothing happens. But let the lawyers complain and doors open!

Carole said...

I'm sure the judges won't allow transparency.

Diane said...

I am happy to see judicial discipline secrecy a big issue in TN.

Anonymous said...

Right you are, StandUp!