Part 1: An April 2022 order questioning if LGBTQ civil rights lawyers engaged in "judge shopping" in challenging an anti-transgender law prompted a two-year investigation.
This, I believe, is what Francis Wilhoit said: "Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition, to wit: There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect."
A note: This was a person calling themselves "Frank Wilhoit" posting in the comments of CrookedTimber; I don't think the actual Francis Wilhoit said this.
Judge Shopping does not appear to be of the same level of concern when it comes to matters lodged with the Amarillo Division of the U.S. Federal District Court for the Northern District of Colorado.
The District Court clearly did the "judge shopping" themselves by moving these two cases all over the place, conveniently making sure they keep returning to Burke. Then they accuse the attorneys of doing the judge shopping and use that as a springboard to harass them and erode their civil and legal rights via an "investigation" which was clearly instigated by the actions of the Court itself.
This is a typical example of the classic "take legal behavior and make it a crime, so that we can turn law-abiding citizens that we target into criminals" strategy that conservatives are using in spades recently.
The authority trips that these power-drunk judges are taking are scary as hell. I hope the lawyers who were caught in this inquisition have learned that there is little benefit in quietly playing along.
Clearly something is rotten in the state of ...well, not Denmark. But a king who is not yet dead is haunting the walls of our justice system and will continue to do so long after becoming well and truly dead.
Clearly fascist behavior. The stage is set. All that is needed is trump in the White House. All of the rights that have been fought for over the last 70 years will be stripped away.
As a nationally known trans civil rights lawyer and out trans woman, I get this. My practice was almost destroyed by a right wing judge who made me the issue. Sigh. I can’t represent people if I am the issue.
Looks to me like these judges had turned themselves not just into judge and jury in their own cause but prosecutor too. They would should have recused themselves on the grounds of actual and perceived bias.
"Ultimately, the lawyers decided to dismiss their cases" - As not a lawyer, I don't understand; what would be a reason one might decide at this point to re-file?
Makes me ill. Especially with how blatant the conservatives have been with their judge shopping.
There is a thing about fascism about rules binding opponents and being ignored by their side? It was a great quote but I don't have time to look it up
This, I believe, is what Francis Wilhoit said: "Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition, to wit: There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect."
A note: This was a person calling themselves "Frank Wilhoit" posting in the comments of CrookedTimber; I don't think the actual Francis Wilhoit said this.
Ah, I thought it was just a fascism thing. But that was the quote I was thinking about
Judge Shopping does not appear to be of the same level of concern when it comes to matters lodged with the Amarillo Division of the U.S. Federal District Court for the Northern District of Colorado.
Duh, Texas, not Colorado
The District Court clearly did the "judge shopping" themselves by moving these two cases all over the place, conveniently making sure they keep returning to Burke. Then they accuse the attorneys of doing the judge shopping and use that as a springboard to harass them and erode their civil and legal rights via an "investigation" which was clearly instigated by the actions of the Court itself.
This is a typical example of the classic "take legal behavior and make it a crime, so that we can turn law-abiding citizens that we target into criminals" strategy that conservatives are using in spades recently.
This is your best work. And most important.
The authority trips that these power-drunk judges are taking are scary as hell. I hope the lawyers who were caught in this inquisition have learned that there is little benefit in quietly playing along.
Clearly something is rotten in the state of ...well, not Denmark. But a king who is not yet dead is haunting the walls of our justice system and will continue to do so long after becoming well and truly dead.
Terrifying.
Clearly fascist behavior. The stage is set. All that is needed is trump in the White House. All of the rights that have been fought for over the last 70 years will be stripped away.
As a nationally known trans civil rights lawyer and out trans woman, I get this. My practice was almost destroyed by a right wing judge who made me the issue. Sigh. I can’t represent people if I am the issue.
Mother fuckers🤬 The conservatives are notorious for judge shopping. Accuse your enemies of that which you are doing.
This is shocking and disturbing. It seems fascism is not so much creeping as galloping through our court system.
This isn't law. This is just the raw application of power, disguised as law. And we're in for 30 more years of this.
Looks to me like these judges had turned themselves not just into judge and jury in their own cause but prosecutor too. They would should have recused themselves on the grounds of actual and perceived bias.
"Ultimately, the lawyers decided to dismiss their cases" - As not a lawyer, I don't understand; what would be a reason one might decide at this point to re-file?
Convoluted BS. Thanks for the write-up Chris.
This is wild.
Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Coney-Barrett - judge shopping at the top............