An opportunity to 'visit' with fed & state judges

[Jan]

PSU presents perspective on the criminal justice system
Federal Judge Steven McAuliffe is Keynote Speaker
PLYMOUTH — It is argued by many that the most powerful person in the criminal justice system is the judge. Considering the fact that one in 100 adult Americans are behind bars, it is important to understand the perspective of this important person in our system of justice. On Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. in Heritage Hall, Plymouth State University's Criminal Justice department is hosting a unique event involving judges from federal and state courts. Chief of the Federal District Court of New Hampshire, Steven McAuliffe, will be the keynote speaker. In addition to Judge McAuliffe, the event features retired N.H. Supreme Court Justice William Batchelder, N.H. Superior Court Judge Timothy J. Vaughan and administrative Judge of the N.H. District Court Edwin Kelly who will all share their views on the state of justice. PSU Criminal Justice Assistant Professor Mark J. Fischler said the judges have a unique insight into crime and punishment in New Hampshire. "The criminal justice department is deeply honored to be hosting these distinguished jurists in what promises to be a meaningful discussion on the state of our criminal justice system," said Fischler. "To have views from the Federal and State Court system along with all of their years of previous experience as practicing attorneys will give us an inside view on how the system truly operates. It is my hope that those affected by the justice system in one way or another come to listen and participate in this incredibly important forum." This event is open and free to the public. For more information please contact Mark J. Fischler, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at mjfischler@plymouth.edu or 535-3143.

[Jan]

Especially in light of the recent arrests/imprisonments, this might be an opportunity to sit in front of judges without fear of arrest for wearing a hat, or whatever, and question the judges about the legal system, their rule of the courtroom, etc.

[grasshopper]

Brilliant idea.

[FTL_Ian]

Ideally, more activists should turn out for this than the recent police accreditation hearing.  If there's a question and answer section, things could be even more interesting.

Location?
Plymouth State University. 17 High Street. Plymouth, New Hampshire 03264-1595

[FTL_Ian]

Suggested question:

When will you start doing the right thing and dismissing cases not involving a victim?

[K. Darien Freeheart]

Especially in light of the recent arrests/imprisonments, this might be an opportunity to sit in front of judges without fear of arrest for wearing a hat, or whatever, and question the judges about the legal system, their rule of the courtroom, etc.

Can we wear black dresses?

[Kat Kanning]

We have 2 "I support Ed and Elaine Brown" t-shirts, if anyone wants to borrow them for this. 

[WithoutAPaddle]

As memory serves me, there were some posts in the Ed and Elaine Brown thread expressing concern that Judge McAuliffe may not have taken his Oath of Office (A suspicion that I find highly unlikely) and that the Court to which he is appointed is for some reason not Constitutionally constituted.

If anyone holding those opinions wanted the opportunity to have his opinions presented to a more diverse audience than they are presented to in anti-establishment internet forums, and possibly even to have their positions covered by the print media, this could be it.

Doing so constructively would involve constraining oneself from incorporating the vague and jingoistic rhetoric that only plays well to "the choir".  In other words, if someone were to ask him why he doesn't use "constitutional definitions" when interpreting statutes, that person would probably be shown the door.

In a personal aside, about a decade ago, I was discussing an estate guardianship matter with a friend of the guardian's ward, and when I told her of my concerns regarding the administration of that estate, she said to me, "I know Steve McAuliffe, and if there's any hanky panky going on, well I know just how to put an end to it."  That remark was silly, since first of all this "friend" of the ward would have no knowledge of any estate mismanagement as the management of an estate of a guardian is a confidential matter, second, she would have no legal standing to do anything about it, and third, sitting judges are not available to serve as white knights for anyone who had been their friend, acquaintance or client before they became a judge.

Nevertheless, the peculiar nature of that remark led me to suspect that McAuliffe may be more "accessible", at least in a personal sense, than are most other judges, and if that characterization is accurate, then perhaps he would be more amenable to questions regarding the validity of his court than other judges might be.

[Jan]

<bump>

[Russell Kanning]

that judge is evil .... I would not want to show up to that event ... unless I was ready to be arrested for showing my opposition to the system
even people on the us supreme court have not cared about the us constitution ... it is not unusual

[WithoutAPaddle]

He once ordered a prosecutors office to give Theo Kamasinski back a bunch of siezed items that they held without justification.  He seemed like a good guy in that one.