Keep
the GA Judicial Qualifications Commission intact
I’m an attorney, and I want to make sure everyone knows
what Amendment 3 on the ballot this November is all about, and to ask you to
vote NO! Amendment 3 concerns the Judicial Qualifications Commission
("JQC"), an independent constitutional entity that is over forty
years old and has disciplined more than 60 bad judges since 2008.
The confusing language of Amendment Number 3 obscures
what it would do. The Amendment would disband the currently independent JQC,
and allows politicians in the general assembly to create a new JQC that is
filled with appointments by politicians. If passed, this Amendment would
politicize a highly effective body that has been free from partisan influence
for decades.
The Amendment is motivated by the General Assembly's
desire to control the JQC and the discipline of their friends on the bench, and
well as Speaker's personal animus against the State Bar since he has had a long
pending Bar complaint against him.
Indeed, one of the primary sponsors of the legislation is
Rep. Johnnie Caldwell, who is a former judge that was forced to retire because
he sexually harassed a female attorney (in a very disgusting manner) who
appeared before him in court. Rep. Caldwell promised to never run for judge
again, but instead managed to win a seat in the Georgia House after his ouster
and sponsor this disturbing Amendment. (Warning the following story has Rep.
Caldwell's disgusting comments and a copy of the relevant transcript)
The JQC has disciplined or removed Georgia judges whose
conduct fell short of their duties to the public – from unlawful fine and fee
collections, to arbitrary and racist treatment of litigants, to sexual abuse
presenting conflicts of interest and turning courthouses into places of
exploitation. Most Georgia judges serve honorably, but the people of Georgia
need to be protected from the ones that don't.
Georgians for Judicial Integrity is a coalition of
individuals and organizations who have come together in opposition to Amendment
3. Georgians for Judicial Integrity has just launched a website and a Facebook
page with a wealth of information about the Amendment, the important work of
the JQC, and the positions taken on the issue by a variety of community leaders
and media outlets.
You can also like the Facebook page to remain up to date
on the campaign efforts.
Please tell friends, neighbors, family and colleagues
about the truth behind this Amendment. Please let me know if you have any
questions.
Anita
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