| Term Start | Term End | Role | State | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 2008 | Representative | NJ | Democrat |
| See All 6 Terms | ||||
Committee Membership
Sponsored Bill Statistics
Recent Voting History
| Bill | Voted |
|---|---|
|
H.R.6867 Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 6867 Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 |
Aye (with party)
October 03, 2008 |
|
S.3197 National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: S 3197 National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act |
Aye (with party)
October 03, 2008 |
|
H.R.1424 Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments: H R 1424 Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 |
Nay (against party)
October 03, 2008 |
Voting Trends Analysis
- Most often votes with: Rep. Ellen Tauscher [D, CA-10]
- Least often votes with: Rep. Jeff Flake [R, AZ-6]
- Republican most often votes with: Rep. Christopher Smith [R, NJ-4]
- Democrat least often votes with: Rep. John Barrow [D, GA-12]
- Votes with party: 97%
- Abstains: 5%
Users tracking Steven Rothman (10) are also tracking:
| People | Bills |
|---|---|
Show More User Statistics...
Steven Rothman in the News
November 06, 2008 Swing Town Report: North Arlington
US Rep. Steven Rothman had a 945 vote plurality (58%-42%) over Republican Vincent Micco. Republican County Clerk Kathleen Donovan won 53%-47% (302 votes) ...
November 04, 2008 Reps. Sires, Rothman, Payne win again
Democrats Albio Sires, Steven Rothman, Donald Payne all retained their seats in Congress with easy victories last night. Sires defeated Republican Joseph ...
November 03, 2008 Rothman, spending Election Day in Chicago, could wind up in Obama ...
By Wally Edge The announcement that US Rep. Steven Rothman will spend Election Day in Chicago with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama fuels ...
Steven Rothman in the Blogs
November 21, 2008 Sticky: Emails for Congress and Governors - Women For Sarah Palin
Steven Rothman (D-9) Fax: 202-225-5851 Rep. Donald Payne (D-10) Fax: 202-225-4160 Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11) Fax: 202-225-3186 Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) Fax: 202-225-6025 Rep. Albio Sires (D-13) Fax: 202-226-0792 New Mexico ...
Source: Women For Sarah Palin
November 14, 2008 Assault Weapons Ban II - Gold & Silver Forum
Rep. Henry Johnson [D-GA] · Rep. Neil Abercrombie [D-HI] · Rep. Joseph Crowley [D-NY] · Rep. Kendrick Meek [D-FL] · Rep. Betty McCollum [D-MN] · Rep. Jane Harman [D-CA] · Rep. Lynn Woolsey [D-CA] · Rep. Stev
Source: Gold & Silver Forum
November 09, 2008 2007 Assault Gun Ban:
Rep. James Moran [D-VA] Rep. Patrick Murphy [D-PA] Rep. Jerrold Nadler [D-NY] Del. Eleanor Norton [D-DC] Rep. John Olver [D-MA] Rep. William Pascrell [D-NJ] Rep. Edward Pastor [D-AZ] Rep. David Price [D-NC] Rep. Steven Rothman [D-NJ] ...









Rating Filter: 5
Comments
To whom it may concern:
I will not weary you in a lot of vague ideas and experiences, for they will offer nothing to give
action toward your investigating the area of my concern. My concern is coming from above,
namely Space Satellites. The Federal Government has placed in space, for National Security
reasons Space Stations to observe areas of our great country, thinking that our enemies may
attack us. Of course, some individuals within the Government, citizens too, believe any and all
means are necessary to protect and defend the citizens of this Great Nation, and I agree. The thing
is, these Satellites can and are being used for seeking out and disrupting citizens from their normal
everyday activities. Satellite technology doing harm to citizens is a dastardly thing within any
country when their technology becomes the controlling factor to those citizens living “the pursuit
of happiness” dream.
For me to comprehend its existence, Satellite Technology and its usage is as mysterious as
its ramifications on my life. The continuous effect of The Satellite Program has advanced my
interest; otherwise, I would have never become involved. The effects of Satellite bombardment
are unbroken in any and all my endeavors. The Satellite program has totally surrounded me,
controlling me, consequentially forging me outside my normal existence.
It is difficult to describe the effects and harm the U S Government is doing to my body.
My toenail has a tear; toes are discolored, small reddest mark on different part of my body. Laser
is being used more of late, due to it’s effectiveness in penetrating my surround barriers. There is
no end to the torturing I’m suffering. To say the least, I need something done, an immediately.
I’m hoping you may help me in this distressing matter.
As I understand, nearly a year of constant surveillance and harmful penetration, satellites
are operated by using a ground coordinator. A person who physically monitors, making contact
with me, following me by vehicle or coming close to my approxime while in stores, etc. The
spying while in my home is done with equipment in neighboring homes, surveillance of my every
move 24 hours a day.
Sincerely, Lawrence E Richards 352-585-5466
7272 Landsdale St.
Brooksville, Fl. 34601
law_richards@yahoo.com
I understand that Ryan's bill is coming to a vote, I hope you are aware that Ryan was a known drug abuser. How could congress put his name on a bill? Please check his web page... it is a known fact...This must be a sad day for all America that's like putting Colombia's drug leader on a bill. Shame on congress, as a pain patient this is not right....I'm sad that you would help pass this bill. This is why we are in a financial crisis now, NO cares to do any research
I understand that Ryan's bill is coming to a vote, I hope you are aware that Ryan was a known drug abuser. How could congress put his name on a bill? Please check his web page... it is a known fact...This must be a sad day for all America that's like putting Colombia's drug leader on a bill. Shame on congress, as a pain patient this is not right....I'm sad that you would help pass this bill. This is why we are in a financial crisis now, NOONE CARES TO DO any research
i think he went from the top down when he should have went from the bottom up. instead of bailing out the mortgage lenders he should have helped the HOMEOWNERS pay their mortgages then the lenders would have their money AND people would have their houses too.the way he did it people will still lose their homes but the TAXPAYERS AND THE BORROWER pay for the home and get nothing.he could have done it so all 3 partys(taxpayers,homeowners,lenders) won but he did not.if he can give the lenders 800 billion and spend all the billions he does on foriegn matters then why couldn't he start a temporary "walfare like" program to save american homeowners? the homeowners would get the money to save their houses,the banks would get their payments and he could add the "loaned walfare" house payment money on to their property in the form of a lien so the taxpayer loses nothing. the people keep their house ,the banks get their money AND since the homeowner eventually pays the money back the taxpayers are not out 800 billion. NO ONE LOSSES.the way he is doing it ALL the taxpayers (including the former homeowner) are paying for the house through his 800 billion payment but no one gets the house,(unless you count the slick dude who bought the $150.000 house for $10.000 at the sheriffs auction).either way it's costing taxpayers AND homeowners when it doesn't have to cost ANYBODY.say your mortgage was $1000 a month,you need help for a year thats $12000 .now instead of upping your payment(which i hear is why a lot of people are folding,ARM'S)or helping the bank make more interest off your existing loan you just lien the property.if you did it by adding it through your existing mortgage of 15 years your payment and interest would probably be substantial, at least your payment would rise and thats what you would want to avoid .so i think it should have been a "HOMEOWNERS BAILOUT" not a "LENDERS BAILOUT".plus with their homes safe they could quit worring about the mortgage and pay other bills and buy things thus stimulating the economy .thats $12,000 thats put back into the economy that didn't cost taxpayers ANYTHING,far better then the $300 "tax rebate" that cost the goverment money and did not stimulate anything. if you were lucky it helped you catch up on your $500 a month winter heating bill from last year.plus the home owner still has to pay back the money even though he lost his house!! i wonder what the motgage company will do with that money. remember, if i owe $100,000 on my mortgage and they sell my house for $10,000 i still have to pay back the bank the $90,000 difference.WTF? so once again the average working man gets shafted but big business does not.while i do not mean it badly (we are capitalist's)the only one thats making out is the guy who bought your house for $10,000 while you have to pay the whole $100,000.almost sounds like alimoney, you have to pay for the horse someone else gets to ride.so since its taxpayer money why are they not bailing out the taxpayer instead of the lenders?$12,000 average per homeowner is not a lot when you consider 1)the owner does not lose the house.2)the bank gets their payment and does not go under.(also giving them more to loan stimulateing the economy even further)3)the loan is secured through property.4)the economy gets stimulated big time by the extra consumer money.5)taxpayers lose nothing.every bodys happy all the way around
WHAT IF OUR US CONGRESS COULD CARE LESS ABOUT OFFERING JUSTICE TO OUR POORER AMERICANS ???
SENATOR OBAMA PLEASE LET THIS COUNTRIES VOTERS KNOW YOUR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS ABOUT A NEEDED FUTURE REPAIR AND RENOVATION OF OUR BROKEN JUDICIAL SYSTEM THAT CONTINUES TO ALLOW THE EXECUTION'S OF EVEN POSSIBLE INNOCENT AMERICAN’S LIKE TROY DAVIS OF GEORGIA ?????
BEING THE WEALTHIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD SENATOR OBAMA, DON'T WE NEED AS THE LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD TO BEGIN ONCE AGAIN TO RE-INVEST THE PROPER MONIE$ IN OUR OWN US JUDICIAL SYSTEM, ASSURING ALL OF OUR CITIZENS THEIR RIGHTS TO FAIR TRIALS WITH PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION ???
DOES GOD NEED TO LOBBY OUR US CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD ON BEHALF OF OUR poorer american’s SENATOR OBAMA,OR ARE YOU WATCHING OUT FOR THEM ?? ***OUR US CONGRESS CONTINUES TO DENY MIDDLE CLASS AND WORKING POOR AMERICANS PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION EVEN THOUGH WRONGFUL EXECUTIONS & FALSE INCARCERATIONS CONTINUE ALL ACROSS AMERICA ???
*** 700 BILLION $$$ AVAILABLE FOR US BAILOUT, & NO $$$ FOR ALL POORER AMERICANS PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION ?
SENATOR OBAMA, THIS JUDICIAL INJUSTICE HAS BECOME AN AMERICAN ART FORM, AND NO LONGER CAN BE KEPT HIDDEN OR SECRET FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE EVEN IF CERTAIN (501c3) U$ RELIGIOU$ LEADER$ HAVE BEEN $ILENCED ??
LETS ALL HOPE OUR MEDIA FRIENDS CONTINUE TO SHOW AN INTEREST IN REPORTING ON THIS AMERICAN HORROR FACING THESE (TENS OF THOUSANDS) FORGOTTEN AND TRAPPED POORER AMERICANS, AND HOW THIS PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER HANDLES THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE FACING AMERICA’S LATINO AND BLACK AMERICAN COMMUNITIES ????
WITH 80% OF THE BLACK AMERICAN VOTERS SAYING THEY SUPPORT SENATOR OBAMA IN THIS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, IT IS ONLY FAIR FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW PRIOR BEING ELECTED OUR NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HOW THIS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TRULY FEELS ABOUT THIS AMERICAN JUDICIAL INJUSTICE CONTINUING TO INFLICT GRAVE HARM ON THE BLACK & LATINO AMERICAN FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE ??????
*** WHEN GOD’S FACE BECAME VERY RED *** THE US SUPREME COURT GAVE ENEMY COMBATANTS FEDERAL APPEAL HC RIGHTS LAWYERS AND PROPER ACCESS TO US FEDERAL COURTS,AND POORER AMERICANS (MANY EVEN ON DEATH ROW) ARE DENIED PROPER FEDERAL APPEAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO OUR US FEDERAL COURTS OF APPEAL, AND ROTTING IN AMERICAN PRISONS NATIONWIDE ?????????
**** INNOCENT AMERICANS ARE DENIED REAL HC RIGHTS WITH THEIR FEDERAL APPEALS ! THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE $LOWLY FINDING OUT HOW EA$Y IT I$ FOR MIDDLE CLA$$ AND WORKING POOR AMERICAN$ TO FALL VICTIM TO OUR U$ MONETARY JUDICIAL $Y$TEM.
****WHEN THE US INNOCENT WERE ABANDONED BY THE GUILTY **** The prison experts have reported that there are 100,000 innocent Americans currently being falsely imprisoned along with the 2,300,000 total US prison population nationwide.
***WHERE ARE AMERICA'S RELIGIOUS LEADERS ???????
Since our US Congress has never afforded poor prison inmates federal appeal legal counsel for their federal retrials,they have effectively closed the doors on these tens of thousands of innocent citizens ever being capable of possibly exonerating themselves to regain their freedom through being granted new retrials.
This same exact unjust situation was happening in our Southern States when poor and mostly uneducated Black Americans were being falsely imprisoned for endless decades without the needed educational skills to properly submit their own written federal trial appeals.
This devious and deceptive judicial process of making our poor and innocent prison inmates formulate and write their own federal appeal legal cases for possible retrials on their state criminal cases,is still in effect today even though everyone in our US judicial system knows that without proper legal representation, these tens of thousands of innocent prison inmates will be denied their rightful opportunities of ever being granted new trials from our federal appeal judges!!
Sadly, the true US *legal* Federal Appeal situation that occurs when any of our uneducated American prison inmates are forced to attempt to submit their own written Federal Appeals (from our prisons nationwide) without the assistance of proper legal counsel, is that they all are in reality being denied their legitimate rights for Habeas Corpus with our US FEDERAL COURTS and will win any future Supreme Court Case concerning this injustice!
For our judicial system and our US Congressional Leaders Of The Free World to continue to pretend that this is a real and fair opportunity for our American Middle Class and Working Poor Citizens, only delays the very needed future change of Federal Financing of all these Federal appeals becoming a normal formula of Our American judicial system.
It was not so very long ago that Public Defenders became a Reality in this country.Prior that legal reality taking place, their were also some who thought giving anyone charged with a crime a free lawyer was a waste of taxpayers $$.
This FACADE and HORROR of our Federal Appeal proce$$ is not worthy of the Greatest Country In The World! ***GREAT SOCIETIES THAT DO NOT PROTECT EVEN THEIR INNOCENT, BECOME THE GUILTY !
A MUST READ ABOUT AMERICAN INJUSTICE:
1) YAHOO 2) GOOGLE (MANNY GONZALES THE KID THAT EVERYONE FORGOT IN THE CA PRISON SYSTEM.) ** A JUDICIAL RIDE OF ONES LIFE !
***Someone please tell our US Congress that the GED degree that Manny Gonzales acquired in prison is not a LAW DEGREE !!!!!!
lawyersforpooramericans@yahoo.com (424-247-2013)
TROY DAVIS, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT AMERICA IS NOT THE OLD SOUTH ~ AFRICA !
A $TATE ECONOMIC BOYCOTT OF GEORGIA INTERNATIONALLY WILL OBVIOU$LY BE THE END RE$ULT OF GEORGIA DECIDING TO MURDER A PO$$IBLE INNOCENT TROY DAVI$ WITHOUT A NEW AND FAIR TRIAL ?
US CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS WHO ARE ALSO LAWYERS BY TRADE, CONTINUE TO DENY poorer AMERICAN'S PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION !!!
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEEDS TO BEGIN A FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO THESE US CONGRESSIONAL CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BEING INFLICTED ON poorer AMERICAN'S LIKE MR.TROY DAVIS OF GEORGIA !!!
HAVING BEEN DENIED APPEAL LAWYERS FOR THREE YEARS ON DEATH ROW IN GEORGIA MR. TROY DAVIS IS NOW BEING EXECUTED FOR A CRIME HE MIGHT NOT HAVE EVEN BEEN INVOLVED WITH !!!
SENATOR OBAMA PLEASE LET THIS COUNTRIES VOTERS KNOW YOUR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS ABOUT A NEEDED FUTURE REPAIR AND RENOVATION OF OUR BROKEN JUDICIAL SYSTEM THAT CONTINUES TO ALLOW THE EXECUTION'S OF EVEN POSSIBLE INNOCENT AMERICAN’S LIKE TROY DAVIS OF GEORGIA ?????
BEING THE WEALTHIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD SENATOR OBAMA, DON'T WE NEED AS THE LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD TO BEGIN ONCE AGAIN TO RE-INVEST THE PROPER MONIE$ IN OUR OWN US JUDICIAL SYSTEM, ASSURING ALL OF OUR CITIZENS THEIR RIGHTS TO FAIR TRIALS WITH PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION ???
DOES GOD NEED TO LOBBY OUR US CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD ON BEHALF OF OUR poorer american’s SENATOR OBAMA,OR ARE YOU WATCHING OUT FOR THEM ??
***OUR US CONGRESS CONTINUES TO DENY MIDDLE CLASS AND WORKING POOR AMERICANS PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION EVEN THOUGH WRONGFUL EXECUTIONS & FALSE INCARCERATIONS CONTINUE ALL ACROSS AMERICA ???
*** 700 BILLION $$$ AVAILABLE FOR US BAILOUT, & NO $$$ FOR ALL POORER AMERICANS PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION ? SENATOR OBAMA, THIS JUDICIAL INJUSTICE HAS BECOME AN AMERICAN ART FORM, AND NO LONGER CAN BE KEPT HIDDEN OR SECRET FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE EVEN IF CERTAIN (501c3) U$ RELIGIOU$ LEADER$ HAVE BEEN $ILENCED ??
LETS ALL HOPE OUR MEDIA FRIENDS CONTINUE TO SHOW AN INTEREST IN REPORTING ON THIS AMERICAN HORROR FACING THESE (TENS OF THOUSANDS) FORGOTTEN AND TRAPPED POORER AMERICANS, AND HOW THIS PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER HANDLES THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE FACING AMERICA’S LATINO AND BLACK AMERICAN COMMUNITIES ????
WITH 80% OF THE BLACK AMERICAN VOTERS SAYING THEY SUPPORT SENATOR OBAMA IN THIS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, IT IS ONLY FAIR FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW PRIOR BEING ELECTED OUR NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HOW THIS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TRULY FEELS ABOUT THIS AMERICAN JUDICIAL INJUSTICE CONTINUING TO INFLICT GRAVE HARM ON THE BLACK & LATINO AMERICAN FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE ??????
*** WHEN GOD’S FACE BECAME VERY RED *** THE US SUPREME COURT GAVE ENEMY COMBATANTS FEDERAL APPEAL HC RIGHTS LAWYERS AND PROPER ACCESS TO US FEDERAL COURTS,AND POORER AMERICANS (MANY EVEN ON DEATH ROW) ARE DENIED PROPER FEDERAL APPEAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO OUR US FEDERAL COURTS OF APPEAL, AND ROTTING IN AMERICAN PRISONS NATIONWIDE ?????????
**** INNOCENT AMERICANS ARE DENIED REAL HC RIGHTS WITH THEIR FEDERAL APPEALS ! THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE $LOWLY FINDING OUT HOW EA$Y IT I$ FOR MIDDLE CLA$$ AND WORKING POOR AMERICAN$ TO FALL VICTIM TO OUR U$ MONETARY JUDICIAL $Y$TEM.
****WHEN THE US INNOCENT WERE ABANDONED BY THE GUILTY **** The prison experts have reported that there are 100,000 innocent Americans currently being falsely imprisoned along with the 2,300,000 total US prison population nationwide.
***WHERE ARE AMERICA'S RELIGIOUS LEADERS ??????? Since our US Congress has never afforded poor prison inmates federal appeal legal counsel for their federal retrials,they have effectively closed the doors on these tens of thousands of innocent citizens ever being capable of possibly exonerating themselves to regain their freedom through being granted new retrials.
This same exact unjust situation was happening in our Southern States when poor and mostly uneducated Black Americans were being falsely imprisoned for endless decades without the needed educational skills to properly submit their own written federal trial appeals.
This devious and deceptive judicial process of making our poor and innocent prison inmates formulate and write their own federal appeal legal cases for possible retrials on their state criminal cases,is still in effect today even though everyone in our US judicial system knows that without proper legal representation, these tens of thousands of innocent prison inmates will be denied their rightful opportunities of ever being granted new trials from our federal appeal judges!!
Sadly, the true US *legal* Federal Appeal situation that occurs when any of our uneducated American prison inmates are forced to attempt to submit their own written Federal Appeals (from our prisons nationwide) without the assistance of proper legal counsel, is that they all are in reality being denied their legitimate rights for Habeas Corpus with our US FEDERAL COURTS and will win any future Supreme Court Case concerning this injustice!
For our judicial system and our US Congressional Leaders Of The Free World to continue to pretend that this is a real and fair opportunity for our American Middle Class and Working Poor Citizens, only delays the very needed future change of Federal Financing of all these Federal appeals becoming a normal formula of Our American judicial system.
It was not so very long ago that Public Defenders became a Reality in this country.Prior that legal reality taking place, their were also some who thought giving anyone charged with a crime a free lawyer was a waste of taxpayers $$.
This FACADE and HORROR of our Federal Appeal proce$$ is not worthy of the Greatest Country In The World! ***GREAT SOCIETIES THAT DO NOT PROTECT EVEN THEIR INNOCENT, BECOME THE GUILTY !
A MUST READ ABOUT AMERICAN INJUSTICE:
1) YAHOO 2) GOOGLE
(MANNY GONZALES THE KID THAT EVERYONE FORGOT IN THE CA PRISON SYSTEM.) ** A JUDICIAL RIDE OF ONES LIFE !
***Someone please tell our US Congress that the GED degree that Manny Gonzales acquired in prison is not a LAW DEGREE !!!!!!
lawyersforpooramericans@yahoo.com (424-247-2013)
*** THIS IS ONLY THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG OF INJUSTICES BEING INFLICTED ON OUR POORER AMERICAN'S IN A UNDERFUNDED JUDICIAL SYSTEM THAT NEEDS...C*H*A*N*G*E.......
**** GOD'S HAND IS INVOLVED IN THIS ONE ****
WHEN THIS HORROR IS PROVEN TO BE A TRUE EVENT AFFECTING THE POSSIBLE ENSLAVEMENT OF 2,500 POORER AMERICAN'S, THEN ALL OF AMERICA WILL BE AWARE THAT THIS SAME EXACT TREATMENT OF OUR POORER CITIZENS NEEDS A FORMAL US CONGRESSIONAL AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION NATIONWIDE !!!
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Posted on October 31, 2008 by Gideon
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I’m a little late on writing about this story (via several sources), but it sure is a doozy.
You know how it’s common knowlege that most appeals aren’t successful? Well, if you were a pro-se petitioner in Louisiana for the last 13 years, you knew that you wouldn’t win. Why is that? Because the Chief Judge of their Court of Appeals directed his clerk to summarily deny all appeals from pro-se petitioners without circulating the appeal to other judges.
The clerk, ridden with guilt, committed suicide earlier this year and left a note confessing everything.
This immoral and apparently illegal policy was in place until Jerrold Peterson, the staffer charged with implementing it, blew his brains out in May of last year. Peterson was driven to it in part, his suicide note suggested, by guilt over the nefarious tasks the judges made him perform.
In his note Peterson explained how the court gave indigent appellants the bum’s rush.
Although every criminal writ application is supposed to be reviewed by three judges, he was deputed to winnow out any that had been filed pro se and arrange for their automatic rejection.
Thus were an estimated 2,500 appeals deep-sixed without any judicial consideration whatsoever.
Now, facing public embarassment and possible ethical violations, the Louisiana Supreme Court has stepped in and asked…get this…the same appellate court to look at the appeals again. Note that they did not ask the Court to conduct an investigation into this practice, but simply to consider those appeals that were so summarily denied.
Because, if we placate the defendants with another cursory look at their appeals, we can sweep the ethical violations under the carpet.
At first this whole thing seemed rather odd to me. After all, how is this even possible? Here’s how:
Edward Dufresne, Chief Judge of the Fifth Circuit, took charge of pro se appeals in 1994. He then had Peterson prepare rulings denying writs for all of them and signed off “without so much as a glance,” according to the suicide note. “No judge ever saw the writ application before the ruling was prepared by me,” Peterson wrote in a second suicide note to the Judiciary Commission.
The rulings also bore the names, though not the signatures, of judges Marion Edwards and Wally Rothschild. Neither Edwards nor Rothschild had any clue as to what was in the applications, or even knew that they had been filed, according to Peterson.
So you’ve got one complicit judge and maybe three. But there are 5 more on that court. What of them? Are we to really believe that these 5 (or 7) other judges never once questioned the stark absence of pro-se appeals? Particularly in Louisiana, whose system has the following characteristics:
* About 90 percent of criminal defendants in Louisiana are indigent.
* Louisiana only provides post-conviction legal aid in death penalty cases. Everyone else must either hire a lawyer, find a lawyer to handle their case pro bono, or handle the appeal themselves. Obviously, most have no choice but to opt for the latter.
* One criminal defense lawyer in Louisiana told me that if you’re convicted of murder in Louisiana and you’re innocent, you’re actually better off getting the death penalty. At least then you’ll get a team of lawyers, investigators, and experts to help with your appeal.
This from a state whose criminal justice system was already crumbling. It’s hard to believe that people such as Judge Dufresne take an oath to uphold the law and to prove equal protection under it. Disbarment may be enough, but only barely.
Justice delayed is no justice at all.
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THE SMOKING GUN LINK TO AMERICA'S JUDICIAL INJUSTICES BEING INFLICTED ON POORER AMERICAN'S !
*********************************************************** http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1223616107256210.xml&coll=1
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lawyersforpooramericans@yahoo.com (424-247-2013)
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