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San Diego Judges: San Diego judges in public and private practice are featured here. Please know when San Diego judges are convicted of bribery, they go off to the big house in p-a-i-r-s. For the general public; please know with continued zero oversight; San Diego's AOC has big plans for your wallet.
Breaking: On January 24, 2011, Judge Kimberlee "Let 'em go" Lagotta allowed Patricia Gregory to drive home after admiting she was an embezzler, and still adverising on Martindale. Martindale! With that, Judge Kimberlee Lagotta, who was formerly with San Diego's well known loser, "Family Protection Unit," (remembering Kelly Mok's lackluster efforts on behalf of crime victims), simply lost all kinds of credibility.
San Diego judges have a problematic history...and then there's the Judge pro tems. Ask us which judicial pro tem accepted property from which attorney during a divorce...then ruled in favor of the client for the attorney offering for no consideration, property.
In another case, ask us which pro tem, during his pro-tem training, was undergoing review by the State Bar, for a variety of charges, for which he was held accountable in six, separate client actions.
And that's just the judge pro-tems.
San Diego's problematic judidical history continues, including Judge Judith Hayes, not a fan of free speech.
Particularly when the free speech involves the main San Diego law firm which damages special needs children.
But it's good that the Court of Appeal, is. So when it comes to on-line critics of law firms, carry on and bounch Judge Judith Hayes.
Meanwhile, Daniel Shinoff, and his firm; Stuz, Artiano, Shinoff & Holt can be found on the "Do Not Hire" section of this site.
Currently topping the list for San Diego's top joke jurist is,
Judge Edward Allard III
Judge Allard is Exhibit A for demonstrating San Diego is judicially speaking.... a very cozy town.
Very cozy when it comes to city and county officials. Steal from corporations and jail, along with high bail, is likely in your future. Steal from the city, or any kind of public funds, and judges like Allard, oh baby....they honey up to defendants faster than you can say, "What do you mean no jail?"
Not that this is news, mind you. Judge Allard is just the latest stellar example of San Diego's too cozy bench reality long present with the San Diego bench. Lazy non-voters and attorneys not willing to run against them is the key reason the San Diego bench remains remains seriously flawed. It's also why attorneys from LA are reluctant to take a case with a San Diego venue. How else to explain Allard's sentencing statement concerning the greed of Carolyn Y. Smith and Dante Dayacap, former heads of Southeastern Economic Development Corp., who paid themselves and friend unauthorized millions in bonuses?
(This is after the DA phoned in their prosecution, accepting a plea to one count each of embezzling public funds. )
Smith drew a tougher sentence from Allard. Smith was lashed with 360 hours of community service, and a one-year suspended jail sentence. Cringe worthy stuff.
In one case of a restraining order violation heard before Judge Runston Maino, although the transcript of father's earlier restraining order hearing clearly showed the ex husband admitted violating a restraining order by entering, without provocation, the home of his ex-wife, and although he'd been convicted of a prior restraining order violation, Judge Ruston Maino (welcome to Vista) said, "She may have invited him" - dooming the woman to more violations.
But our all-time favorite remains Judge Albert Harutunian - who we also recommend bouncing prior to any appearance. Why?
Judge Albert Harutunian chats with his DA wife about current cases...and jurors the DA might later prosecute. In one documented case, the conversation was about a juror in criminal case over which he was presiding. The juror had done nothing wrong, but after a little pillow talk Harutunain dismissed the juror.
Apparently Judge Harutunian doesn't think much of heeding his own daily admonishments not to discuss an ongoing case. That's just one example.
What scare us about Judge Harutunian are the cases we don't know about.
Judge Patricia Garcia. Another bounce. We strongly recommend this judge who has a history of favored psychologists, not be accepted by Family Court litigants.
Also, Judge Garcia has no problem ruling for a father who has three attorneys against a mother who is in Pro Per.
(Way to go Judge Garcia. Equality much?)
Another concern is the cabal of judges at Vista Court. The rulings by Judge Craig Pollack, who along with his propensity to be ridiculed nationally, likely qualifies as Higgs, Fletcher and Mack's most embarrassing former partner.
Pollack's rulings have been so over-the-top, embroiled in a family court case, he caught the eye of Dateline. The latest twist came on December 3, 2011
It would be better if Judge Pollack recused himself from the case, but his ego knows no bounds. More on Pollack later, after we verify he refused a change of venue, although neither party no longer lives in San Diego County. We were happy when national media picked up on Judge Pollak's decision to not only award spousal support to a convicted rapist. Too bad they didn't report the judge's disdain "You're not a mouse" language towards crime victim, Crystal Harris. Tellingly, Judge Pollack thinks the rapist should immediately begin parenting his kids immediately after his release from prison. Thoughtfully, Judge Pollack has the rapist bussed down from prison for each hearing. (Name another judge in the county - or the State who does that.) Although Pollack has it in for victim Harris, he is just one another example of an over-the-top, bench in San Diego. More on Judge Gregory Pollack, on Abuse of Discretion.
Also bounce Judge Lisa Guy-Schall. Or, her new name, plain old, Judge Schall, who holds the recent distinction of being reversed twice by the Court of Appeal in one month. Her court is a waste of tax payer dollars.
Also, is the twice disciplined, Judge Lisa Schall.
Make that three times disciplined. Schall received a private admonishment after she became embroiled in a juvenile dependency case.
Judge Schall currently puts women at risk by denying them restraining orders. One case involved a female San Diego police officer, whose ex-lover, San Diego Police Sgt. Ken Davis threatened to kill her after she broke off their affair. It's worth noting that while this case was in progress, no less than five, San Diego police officers have been arrested for charges ranging from on-duty sexual battery, to rape.
Logic dictates when the DA and Family Court judges refuse to protect women, they will continue to be murdered. On the flip side, it's interesting, and by interesting, we mean disgusting, the lengths DA Bonnie Dumanis will go to to make sure she's safe.
Why can't regular San Diego women get this kind of protection? Ask Judge Lorna Alksne. Because the technology to empower women to save their own life is available. Judge Alksne has a problem with her leadership role; and as a result of that, women are not afforded protection in family court. It is good she is no longer the supervising judge.
Moving along to criminal court, take Judge Frank Brown.
Please.
Three times voted Judge Most Full of Himself, Judge Brown is a don't read the file, shoot from the lip kind of jurist. Greasiest hair in all San Diego.
We'll pause now for judges we like. Judges who we feel embody intelligence, integrity, and an even temperment.
The three judges spring to mind.
The first is...Judge Ronald Prager
On the bench or off, Judge Prager is a smart, engaging, nice fellow.
Our second pick is Judge Laura Parsky
We've watched Judge Parsky at work and found her to be smart, on-top-of-thin
gs, and even tempered and, resourceful.
Judge Peter Deddeh
While we may not always agree with Judge Deddeh, we find him a sterling example of everything a judge is supposed to be.
Back to, bad-to-the-bone....Judge Frederic Link, Judge Frederick Maguire, and in North County's Judge Gregory Pollack remain judges we'd like to see replaced. That Link loves the camera (while ignoring the mirror), remains a mystery.
Foul-tempered, quick to judge, these three judges should be struck by any attorney representing women.
As our mother would say, "They're a piece of work."
Also, inspiring - just not in a good way, the married to a San Diego deputy,
Judge Randa Trapp.
Trapp has a history of supporting fake therapist Susan Griffin, (will no one check resumes?) and now Dr. Stephen Doyne, in recent litigation. Doyne released a self-serving press release saying his reputation was untarnished.
(Perhaps in his dreams.)
But what's great about Trapp is she would preside over a family court case...then moved to civil court and preside over a trial involving the same case....and not recuse herself. Nor would she get off the case when asked. When it comes to demonstrating an ongoing lack of integrity, Trapp remains one of the best examples of the worst examples San Diego has to offer.
A small selection of judges to immediately bounce:
Three, immediately spring to mind:
Judge Thomas Ashworth: long known for his dedicated history of imposing his personal beliefs opposite of joint custody laws, Ashworth likewise seldom fails to show his personal disdain for women....backed by the the San Diego bench. Nor did the Presiding Judge have a problem with Ashworth owning commercial buildings where attorneys who practiced before him, rented office space. Ashworth remains a living example why LA attorneys are reluctant to file or represent San Diego based litigants. Ashworth's earlier history was documented by the LA Times. Ashworth is now in private judging with JAMS.
Judge William Howatt: Fat bigot with a soft voice and dry sense of humor. Dangerous. Now in private judging with JAMS.
Judge Susan Huguenor: Married to a bombastic father's rights attorney, Huguenor who had a long career in Juvenile Court, sitting on many commissions and forming relationships with Alliant University staff, (Alliant has it's own well documented history of flakes) has absolutely no business in Family Court.
She does however, represent why the liklihood of change for the better is remote in San Diego.
The San Diego Judge who has been reversed the most?
Too easy.
Far and away by our count that would be San Diego Judge Joan Lewis....although with two reversals in one month, Lisa Schall is on her heels.
We'll be frank. Judge Joan Lewis scares the absolute bejesus out of us.
As we believe in saving attorneys fees whenever possible, our recommendation is to bounce Judge Joan Lewis and save thousands in appellant attorney fees and costs.
San Diego judges have a problematic history...and then there's the Judge pro tems. Ask us which judicial pro tem accepted property from which attorney during a divorce...then ruled in favor of the client for the attorney offering for no consideration, property.
In another case, ask us which pro tem, during his pro-tem training, was undergoing review by the State Bar, for a variety of charges, for which he was held accountable in six, separate client actions.
And that's just the judge pro-tems.
San Diego's problematic judidical history continues, including Judge Judith Hayes, not a fan of free speech.
Particularly when the free speech involves the main San Diego law firm which damages special needs children.
But it's good that the Court of Appeal, is. So when it comes to on-line critics of law firms, carry on and bounch Judge Judith Hayes.
Meanwhile, Daniel Shinoff, and his firm; Stuz, Artiano, Shinoff & Holt can be found on the "Do Not Hire" section of this site.
Currently topping the list for San Diego's top joke jurist is,
Judge Edward Allard IIIJudge Allard is Exhibit A for demonstrating San Diego is judicially speaking.... a very cozy town.
Very cozy when it comes to city and county officials. Steal from corporations and jail, along with high bail, is likely in your future. Steal from the city, or any kind of public funds, and judges like Allard, oh baby....they honey up to defendants faster than you can say, "What do you mean no jail?"
Not that this is news, mind you. Judge Allard is just the latest stellar example of San Diego's too cozy bench reality long present with the San Diego bench. Lazy non-voters and attorneys not willing to run against them is the key reason the San Diego bench remains remains seriously flawed. It's also why attorneys from LA are reluctant to take a case with a San Diego venue. How else to explain Allard's sentencing statement concerning the greed of Carolyn Y. Smith and Dante Dayacap, former heads of Southeastern Economic Development Corp., who paid themselves and friend unauthorized millions in bonuses?
(This is after the DA phoned in their prosecution, accepting a plea to one count each of embezzling public funds. )
Smith drew a tougher sentence from Allard. Smith was lashed with 360 hours of community service, and a one-year suspended jail sentence. Cringe worthy stuff.
Dayacap was also thrashed by Allard, drawing 240 hours of community service and a nine-month suspended sentence. Both are on five years of joke probation.
Allard ordered both to pay restitution of $435,018.36....at a whopping $100 per month. Seriously. We are not making this up. Doing the math, their financial obligation ends in 2193. No order to sell property...no - well, nothing. Don't complain. It's only taxpayer funds.
Judge Edward Allard III also offered, (presumably with a straight face), that the pair already suffered significantly. Allard said losing their careers, incomes and reputations, etc. Wait! (Hand smacking forehead) Could it be Allard was simply confused. Judge Allard obviously ruled as though Smith and Dayacap were the victims. Clearly Allard felt remorse they were caught.
None of the three were available for comment. Perhaps the trio went out to celebrate. The defendants can still afford to pick up the check. Oh wait, we're getting ahead of ourselves. Returning to the case...
"By their pleas, they have now been held accountable," Allard continued. "I think it rings out loud and clear to other individuals in similar positions to the defendants, that if they choose to ignore the law and perpetrate an economic crime, they will, in fact, be accountable."
[Editor's note: Seriously, we are Not making this up. The transcript shows Allard said this. With a straight face Allard said the Defendants will be "accountable." He just didn't indicate who would hold them accountable.]
Allard also claimed restitution repayment was at the focus of his...uh, reasoning.
"The only way that restitution is going to be secure for victims is by having the defendants repay it....They've got to be working to repay it. They can't repay it if they're in custody."
No need to worry, San Diego's two-tiered justice system remains firmly intact. Anyone who believes crime doesn't pay? Welcome to San Diego! Meanwhile, San Diegans can only hope there isn't an Edward Allard IV, lurking in the wings.
In one case of a restraining order violation heard before Judge Runston Maino, although the transcript of father's earlier restraining order hearing clearly showed the ex husband admitted violating a restraining order by entering, without provocation, the home of his ex-wife, and although he'd been convicted of a prior restraining order violation, Judge Ruston Maino (welcome to Vista) said, "She may have invited him" - dooming the woman to more violations.But our all-time favorite remains Judge Albert Harutunian - who we also recommend bouncing prior to any appearance. Why?
Judge Albert Harutunian chats with his DA wife about current cases...and jurors the DA might later prosecute. In one documented case, the conversation was about a juror in criminal case over which he was presiding. The juror had done nothing wrong, but after a little pillow talk Harutunain dismissed the juror. Apparently Judge Harutunian doesn't think much of heeding his own daily admonishments not to discuss an ongoing case. That's just one example.
What scare us about Judge Harutunian are the cases we don't know about.
Judge Patricia Garcia. Another bounce. We strongly recommend this judge who has a history of favored psychologists, not be accepted by Family Court litigants.
Also, Judge Garcia has no problem ruling for a father who has three attorneys against a mother who is in Pro Per.
(Way to go Judge Garcia. Equality much?)
Another concern is the cabal of judges at Vista Court. The rulings by Judge Craig Pollack, who along with his propensity to be ridiculed nationally, likely qualifies as Higgs, Fletcher and Mack's most embarrassing former partner.
Pollack's rulings have been so over-the-top, embroiled in a family court case, he caught the eye of Dateline. The latest twist came on December 3, 2011
It would be better if Judge Pollack recused himself from the case, but his ego knows no bounds. More on Pollack later, after we verify he refused a change of venue, although neither party no longer lives in San Diego County. We were happy when national media picked up on Judge Pollak's decision to not only award spousal support to a convicted rapist. Too bad they didn't report the judge's disdain "You're not a mouse" language towards crime victim, Crystal Harris. Tellingly, Judge Pollack thinks the rapist should immediately begin parenting his kids immediately after his release from prison. Thoughtfully, Judge Pollack has the rapist bussed down from prison for each hearing. (Name another judge in the county - or the State who does that.) Although Pollack has it in for victim Harris, he is just one another example of an over-the-top, bench in San Diego. More on Judge Gregory Pollack, on Abuse of Discretion.
Also bounce Judge Lisa Guy-Schall. Or, her new name, plain old, Judge Schall, who holds the recent distinction of being reversed twice by the Court of Appeal in one month. Her court is a waste of tax payer dollars.
Also, is the twice disciplined, Judge Lisa Schall.Make that three times disciplined. Schall received a private admonishment after she became embroiled in a juvenile dependency case.
Judge Schall currently puts women at risk by denying them restraining orders. One case involved a female San Diego police officer, whose ex-lover, San Diego Police Sgt. Ken Davis threatened to kill her after she broke off their affair. It's worth noting that while this case was in progress, no less than five, San Diego police officers have been arrested for charges ranging from on-duty sexual battery, to rape.
Logic dictates when the DA and Family Court judges refuse to protect women, they will continue to be murdered. On the flip side, it's interesting, and by interesting, we mean disgusting, the lengths DA Bonnie Dumanis will go to to make sure she's safe.
Why can't regular San Diego women get this kind of protection? Ask Judge Lorna Alksne. Because the technology to empower women to save their own life is available. Judge Alksne has a problem with her leadership role; and as a result of that, women are not afforded protection in family court. It is good she is no longer the supervising judge.
Moving along to criminal court, take Judge Frank Brown.
Please.
Three times voted Judge Most Full of Himself, Judge Brown is a don't read the file, shoot from the lip kind of jurist. Greasiest hair in all San Diego.
We'll pause now for judges we like. Judges who we feel embody intelligence, integrity, and an even temperment.
The three judges spring to mind.
The first is...Judge Ronald Prager
On the bench or off, Judge Prager is a smart, engaging, nice fellow.Our second pick is Judge Laura Parsky
We've watched Judge Parsky at work and found her to be smart, on-top-of-thin
gs, and even tempered and, resourceful.Judge Peter Deddeh
While we may not always agree with Judge Deddeh, we find him a sterling example of everything a judge is supposed to be.
Back to, bad-to-the-bone....Judge Frederic Link, Judge Frederick Maguire, and in North County's Judge Gregory Pollack remain judges we'd like to see replaced. That Link loves the camera (while ignoring the mirror), remains a mystery.
Foul-tempered, quick to judge, these three judges should be struck by any attorney representing women.
As our mother would say, "They're a piece of work."
Also, inspiring - just not in a good way, the married to a San Diego deputy,
Judge Randa Trapp.Trapp has a history of supporting fake therapist Susan Griffin, (will no one check resumes?) and now Dr. Stephen Doyne, in recent litigation. Doyne released a self-serving press release saying his reputation was untarnished.
(Perhaps in his dreams.)
But what's great about Trapp is she would preside over a family court case...then moved to civil court and preside over a trial involving the same case....and not recuse herself. Nor would she get off the case when asked. When it comes to demonstrating an ongoing lack of integrity, Trapp remains one of the best examples of the worst examples San Diego has to offer.
A small selection of judges to immediately bounce:
Three, immediately spring to mind:
Judge Thomas Ashworth: long known for his dedicated history of imposing his personal beliefs opposite of joint custody laws, Ashworth likewise seldom fails to show his personal disdain for women....backed by the the San Diego bench. Nor did the Presiding Judge have a problem with Ashworth owning commercial buildings where attorneys who practiced before him, rented office space. Ashworth remains a living example why LA attorneys are reluctant to file or represent San Diego based litigants. Ashworth's earlier history was documented by the LA Times. Ashworth is now in private judging with JAMS. Judge William Howatt: Fat bigot with a soft voice and dry sense of humor. Dangerous. Now in private judging with JAMS.
Judge Susan Huguenor: Married to a bombastic father's rights attorney, Huguenor who had a long career in Juvenile Court, sitting on many commissions and forming relationships with Alliant University staff, (Alliant has it's own well documented history of flakes) has absolutely no business in Family Court.She does however, represent why the liklihood of change for the better is remote in San Diego.
The San Diego Judge who has been reversed the most?
Too easy.
Far and away by our count that would be San Diego Judge Joan Lewis....although with two reversals in one month, Lisa Schall is on her heels.
We'll be frank. Judge Joan Lewis scares the absolute bejesus out of us.
As we believe in saving attorneys fees whenever possible, our recommendation is to bounce Judge Joan Lewis and save thousands in appellant attorney fees and costs.However, when it comes to sheer disregard for the public, hands down, it's judge Judge Robert Longstreth.
We occasionally monitor hearings. Dropping in one morning as the bailiff opened the doors for an Ex Parte hearing at 8:40a.m.
Paperwork was handled as collectively, people who had to be at work, waited. And waited. The clerk was present, the court reporter was present, the bailiff was his usually scowling self, but oddly enough, no one acted as if the absence of the judge was unusual. Not a word was said to litigants or counsel who cooled their heels until 9:40 when Longstreth swept in the room, and without so much as a reference to delaying so many people for nearly an hour, proceeded to ask the clerk to call the cases.
Once seated, Judge Longstreth immediately began to malign one litigant repeatedly. The man's attorney remained mute. We have no idea why the attorney didn't ask Longstreth to recuse himself on the spot as Judge Longstreth's behavior indicated he was clearly embroiled in the case. Judge Longstreth's conduct remains so over-the-top, we believe he deserves a longer, separate piece.
California
San Diego: Judges who continue to support Stephen Doyne as "highly respected" are themselves, suspect. To be fair, it's not as if San Diego has a lock on this kind of behavior.
New York
Fake therapist Steven Feldman arrested. Saratoga County contracted with him for custody disputes. However, as Maria Geizer's arrest demonstrates, Saratoga seems to have a problem checking credentials.
Texas
Dallas: The doctors also mix it up. Dueling shrinks
San Diego: Judges who continue to support Stephen Doyne as "highly respected" are themselves, suspect. To be fair, it's not as if San Diego has a lock on this kind of behavior.
New York
Fake therapist Steven Feldman arrested. Saratoga County contracted with him for custody disputes. However, as Maria Geizer's arrest demonstrates, Saratoga seems to have a problem checking credentials.
Texas
Dallas: The doctors also mix it up. Dueling shrinks