Sun-Times: Vote "NO" on these four Cook County judges! (Chicago: lawyers, law)

[Lookout Kid]

The Sun-Times published an editorial recently about four judges that are derided by lawyers' groups, and widley believed to be unqualified for their posts. Since most people don't know anything about judges, this article is a good resource for voters. Here are the four judges that the ABA, other lawyers' groups, and Sun-Times are suggesting a "No" vote for:

Edward Pietrucha, Vanessa Hopkins, Evelyn Clay and Casandra Lewis.

Here's the link to the article:

Just vote no on these 4 judges :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Commentary (http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1243874,CST-EDT-edit27.article - broken link)

[noid_1985]

Thanks Lookout- I took down these four names....would rep ya but couldn't

[aragx6]

When I voted two weeks ago I was completely unprepared for all the judges! I hate being ill-informed. Wish I woulda seen this then. I just didn't vote for any of 'em, but hope this helps others! Thanks for posting lk!

[j33]

VoteForJudges.org is a good site. All of those judges were listed as unqualified on their guide.

I voted 'no' on all four of them this morning.

[Avengerfire]

People,you also need to look at additional info for other judges that are rated as unqualified or not recommended:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/o...,1764835.story

The Chicago Bar Association | Judicial Evaluation Committee
PDF:
http://www.chicagobar.org/AM/NavigationMenu/Home/Files/2008JECNOVpocketguide.pdf (broken link)

[Drover]

Don't be fooled for one minute into believing bar associations are apolitical bodies or are not looking out for their own interests. It's worth remembering that the law is a self-policing (and frankly self-serving) industry like no other can be. Vote however you will for various judges, but at least a little bit of skepticism about the bar associations and lawyer's associations' motives is also in order. Taking their word for it is like taking the word of one criminal ratting out another: what he's saying might be true and valid, but you might do well to ask yourself what his motivation is.

[Lookout Kid]

The last time I saw a large media outlet do this story, they had specific examples about why each of the judges mentioned was incompetent, in their view. This article lacks that specificity.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

The last time I saw a large media outlet do this story, they had specific examples about why each of the judges mentioned was incompetent, in their view. This article lacks that specificity.

The Tribune outlined their NO's a couple weeks back:

We urge a "no" vote on these judges:

•Evelyn Clay: Take your pick. The Chicago Council of Lawyers says Clay is indecisive, "weak on the law" and can't always control her courtroom. The Chicago Bar Association rapped her for making "insensitive comments from the bench."

•Vanessa Hopkins: She came to the bench 12 years ago with just two years of legal experience. One would hope she'd learn on the job, but she hasn't. She's abrupt with the people in her courtroom and turns legal disputes into personal disputes—very inappropriate for a judge. She is often late to court, and that's disrespectful of everyone.

•Edward Pietrucha: This judge has a reputation for being a tyrant and a bully. So why in the world is he in the juvenile justice division? "Many judges, defense counsel, prosecutors and probation officers expressed outrage" at his temperament, said the Chicago Council of Lawyers. He's been acting this way for a long time. Enough.

•Casandra Lewis: She's late to work, she's not prepared. She performs so poorly that some lawyers go out of their way to avoid her courtroom. She wasn't even registered as an attorney when she ran for judge in 2002. But she won, and four years later tried to move up to the Appellate Court. A promotion? No, she deserves to be retired.

FYI, the Sun Times list is the same as the Trib's

[Lookout Kid]

The Tribune's list matches the Sun-Time's list--which seems to match the ABA's list.