Judges are allowed by us to be out of control
AP/Harrison Daily Times
Aug. 8: Searcy County Circuit Judge Rhonda K. Wood, left, and District Judge Jerry Patterson.
Judges Argue, Threaten to Arrest Each Other, Over Courtroom Scheduling
Friday, August 10, 2007
MARSHALL, Ark. — A scheduling conflict between two judges needing to use the same Searcy County courtroom Wednesday morning started an argument that escalated to threats of arrest, witnesses said.
Searcy County District Judge Jerry Patterson said he and 20th Circuit Court Judge Rhonda K. Wood were scheduled to have the courtroom in Marshall. Patterson was set to hear small claims lawsuits, while Wood had criminal cases set to be heard.
Witnesses who declined to be identified told the Harrison Daily Times the two judges threatened each other with contempt citations — even arrest and possible jail time — over the scheduling dispute. Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said a state trooper was dispatched to the courthouse over the dispute, but was called off before he arrived because "his services were not needed."
Searcy County sheriff's deputies said they had no one in the courtroom and referred all calls to the prosecutor's office. Marcus Vaden, an employee in the prosecutor's office, declined to comment.
That afternoon, Wood took the bench for a few minutes, then yielded to Patterson.
Both judges said they had no hard feelings from the dispute.
"I have the utmost respect for [Patterson]," Wood said.
The judges said neither of them had a very full docket, so it was possible for both to use the room as necessary. However, they said there is a chance similar scheduling problems could arise in the weeks to come.
posted by The Stark Raving Viking at 8/11/2007 08:12:00 AM
5 Comments:
I have had some dealings with Judge Wood and all I have to say is that the law should apply to all as it is written. But from what I have seen a selcet "FEW" bend and twist the laws to their own needs. After hearing the words "this is in your best interest" made me sick. Too bad that person did not have the actual guts to say what they really ment which would have been this was in my best interest to further my career, my future political career and fullfill my power hungry need to push around my weight!!!!
Judge Wood is running for an elected judicial position this year 2008. She looks good on paper and sounds good in what she says, "her sales pitch". But after some closer reading into things and talking to people that have had dealings with her, it would seem the total opposite.
Now here is the slap in the face of all times. Our good Judge Rhonda Wood was such an outspoken advocate against sites like "myspace" but come to find out that she herself has a myspace account as well as a facebook account. That just makes me wonder exactley how much of a double standard does this Judge have? With such hypocrisy one must really take a good long look at the facts at hand and ask "is this someone you would want to judge you in court". Need i say more on this topic!
Dear Blogger, here is a link that you may find of interest. Another story of Judge Wood and some interesting behavior. A small part of the entire story:
"Since Thursday afternoon, Circuit Judge Rhonda Wood and Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Vaden have filed court documents compelling one another to take responsibility in the apparent mishandling of an 18-year-old's incarceration sentence for second-degree battery.
Failure to comply with either request could in theory result in the jailing of Wood, or of the deputy prosecutor who handled the case for Vaden."
Here is the link to the entire story as publish: http://thecabin.net/stories/040508/loc_0405080002.shtml
I can't believe my grandsons future is in the hands of this judge. In court she would not listen to anyone other than the probation officer. When people tried to stand up and speak on behalf of my grandson she told them it would do no good as the orders had already been prepared. What kind of justice is it when a defendant even a minor is not even allowed to present a defense? He now has the choice of five months in Youth Challange or 30 days in jail. He begins his Junior year in August and doesn't want to ruin the rest of his high school life. Which one would you choose?
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