View HERE
More here – Live coverage: Whitaker faces grilling from House panel
View HERE
More here – Live coverage: Whitaker faces grilling from House panel
The Hill reports “More than four dozen judicial nominees are in limbo as President Obama’s term draws to a close.
Senate Democrats are blasting their Republican colleagues for not only blocking the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, but also 53 other judges in the lower courts, calling their obstruction “unprecedented” and “irresponsible.”
“These are supposed to be nonpolitical positions,” Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary, said. “I’ve been here longer than anybody else, I’ve never seen anything so irresponsible.” Read more HERE.
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Senator Leahy has “never seen anything so irresponsible?”
On March 26, 2007, Due Process Defenders, delivered to Congressman John Conyers and Senator Patrick Leahy, more than 1500 pages of evidence involving criminal acts by “officers of the court” or government officials. View Due Process Defenders – Press Release
Senator Leahy complains his Republican colleagues are “not willing to follow the Constitution, they won’t do their job”?
Related: Senator Patrick Leahy (D.VT.) Assumes Position In Presidential Line Of Succession…Are You Kidding Me? Click here.
PPH reports “The chief judge of the Maine District Courts has appointed Judge Jeffrey Moskowitz to serve as second in command.” More HERE.
Related:
Maine Judge Jeffrey Moskowitz Comes Under Review At Public Forum, click here.
Public Exposure Moves Maine’s Attorney General Janet Mills, click here.
Have You Been Harmed By Maine’s Judicial System? Click here.
Courtesy of Lise from Maine
PUBLIC LAWS OF THE STATE OF MAINE AS PASSED BY THE One Hundred and Seventh Legislature AT THE FIRST SPECIAL SESSION January 19, 1976 to April 29, 1976 AND THE SECOND SPECIAL SESSION June 14, 1976.
1977, Chap. 6 CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENTS – redistribution of powers to the Legislature to select or reject judges. View HERE.
Original Constitution of Maine (1820), click here.
Pursuant to the original constitution (1820) Art 5 sec 8, the governor shall nominate, and, with the advice and consent of the Council, appoint all judicial officers…..
This 1977 Act contradicts the original constitution.
The legislature (Judiciary Committee) has no authority to be involved in the acceptance or rejection of any nomination and appointment of judges.
Related:
Phil Merletti Commentary on “A System In Crisis” – Judicial Confirmation Hearing of William J. Schneider, click here.
“A System In Crisis”, view HERE. (Judiciary Committee hearing)
Phil recaps the events of the hearing.
The Judiciary Committee voted unanimously on the confirmation of William Schneider.
03/12/2014 08:00 AM EDT (1:00:04)
EPISODE1409 – AROOSTOOK WATCHMEN
Listen HERE.
The 5 Remonstrances, click here.
Maine Judiciary Committee – Confirmation Hearing – William J. Schneider to the Maine District Court, click here.
Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary
Senator Linda M. Valentino (D-York), Chair
Senator John L. Tuttle, Jr. (D-York) (absent)
Senator David C. Burns (R-Washington)
Representative Charles R. Priest (D-Brunswick), Chair
Representative Kimberly J. Monaghan-Derrig (D-Cape Elizabeth)
Representative Jennifer DeChant (D-Bath)
Representative Matthew W. Moonen (D-Portland)
Representative Stephen W. Moriarty (D-Cumberland)
Representative Lisa Renee Villa (D-Harrison)
Representative Jarrod S. Crockett (R-Bethel)*
Representative Michael G. Beaulieu (R-Auburn)
Representative Anita Peavey Haskell (R-Milford)
Representative Stacey K. Guerin (R-Glenburn)
Representative Wayne T. Mitchell (Penobscot Nation)
Governor Paul LePage
207-287-3531
Fax 207-287-1034
E-mail, click here
Senate President Justin L. Alfond (D-Cumberland County)
Senate President’s Office (207) 287-1500
home: 232-4187
E-mail: justin@justinalfond.com
Senate Majority Leader Troy D. Jackson (D-Aroostook County)
Senate Majority Office (207) 287-1515
home: 398-4081
cell: 436-0763
E-mail: SenTroy.Jackson@legislature.maine.gov
Senate Minority Leader Michael D. Thibodeau (R-Waldo County)
Senate Minority Office (207) 287-1505
home: 223-5177
E-mail: SenatorThibodeau@aol.com
Speaker of the House Mark Eves (D-North Berwick)
(207) 287-1300
E-mail RepMark.Eves@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Seth A. Berry, Majority Leader D-Bowdoinham)
House Majority Office (207) 287-1430
E-Mail: RepSeth.Berry@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Kenneth Wade Fredette, Minority Leader R-Newport)
House Minority Office (207) 287-1440
E-Mail: RepKenneth.Fredette@legislature.maine.gov
OPEGA MISSION
The Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA) exists to support the Legislature in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to improve the accountability, oversight and performance of State government for the benefit of Maine’s citizens.
Related: (now former) Secretary of State Charlie Summers, click here.
Update
REVISED Judiciary Committee Weekly Schedule
Thursday: March 6, 2014
2:00pm WORK SESSION
LD 1778 An Act To Revise the Description of Commercial Fishing Vessels That Are Exempt from Attachment (EMERGENCY)
LD 1789 An Act To Modernize and Improve the Efficiency of Maine’s Courts
LD 1389 An Act to Expedite the Foreclosure Process
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Just learned that the public will be allowed to speak at the Judiciary Committee’s work session on LD 1389.
Room 438 State House – Wednesday, March 5, 2014, 1:00 p.m.
Testimony | April 25, 2013
An Examination of the Judicial Conduct and Disability System
By: Russell Wheeler
Editor’s Note: Russell Wheeler testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on the federal judicial conduct and disability system on April 25, 2013. The Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980 authorizes any person to file a complaint alleging that a federal judge has engaged in conduct “prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts.” The text which follows is Russell Wheeler’s opening statement.
Related:
Congressman James Sensenbrenner letter, July 14, 2004. No response.
Senator Charles Grassley letter, May 12, 2006. No response.
Judge Brock Hornby was appointed to the “Breyer Committee,” to investigate judicial misconduct. Was Judge Hornby qualified for this position? Was this a conflict of interest? His judicial abuse “raises profound questions” with respect to whether he should enjoy the delegated authority to investigate and discipline himself.