Saturday, February 19, 2011

JURY POWER

Jurors indicted and jurors found Luzerne County, Pennsylvania "kids for cash" judge Mark Ciavarella guilty of racketeering and conspiracy.


The defense and prosecution both declared victory after Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. was found guilty on 12 counts and acquitted of 27 Friday, but the former Luzerne County Juvenile Court judge, who would have spent less than seven years in prison under a plea agreement that collapsed in 2009, now faces 13 to 15 years.

A jury in U.S. District Court found Mr. Ciavarella guilty of racketeering and conspiracy for accepting $997,600 from wealthy developer Robert K. Mericle. Mr. Mericle testified he won a contract to build a for-profit juvenile detention center after a referral from Mr. Ciavarella.  Read more:

Sunday, February 6, 2011

FIJA - Fully Informed Jury Association

FIJA Questions Florida Judge, Attorney General, and Governor Over Unlawful Order

On Thursday, 3 February 2011, FIJA sent on FIJA letterhead via United States Postal Service certified mail, the following questions to Florida Judge Blevin Perry, Jr., to Florida Governor Rick Scott, and to Attorney General Pam Bondi: Questions for Florida Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., Governor Rick Scott, and Attorney General Pam Bondi (pdf)

The letter, in part, points out this contradiction:

On 31 January, 2011, Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. has issued an “Administrative Order”, barring peaceful people from engaging in their lawful freedom of speech to peacefully distribute pamphlets, on public property, related to the laws, rights and authority of jurors.

On 8 February 2010, Florida Judge David B. Eddy issued a memorandum stating, “Based on principles of free speech, I believe that whoever is distributing the handouts (referencing FIJA literature) in question has a right to do so. Accordingly, I see no reason why the handouts must be excluded from the jury assembly room. I believe we may trust jurors to follow the law as instructed by the judge.”

A contradiction in the application of the law is evident. Americans seeking to lawfully exercise their lawful rights are subject to being arrested and denied their rights by Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.’s order.

Because a contradiction of the law is evident, and a damage is threatened by the power of office of Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. we respectfully insist that Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. and the courts and government of Florida, under penalty of fraud and other laws, certify which involved law prevails, not contradicted by any superior law: Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.’s Administrative Order; or the right of the People to freely express their views in regard to this matter.