Mar
17
From the mailbag:
… Judge Shaller was an excellent Judge and had warned my ex last time to stop her shennanigans. I have an upcoming court date and Honorable Gail Fueler is now head of Department 67. Do judges leave notes on the cases that they pass onto new judges? Judge Shaller was our judge for the last 2 years and knew our case very well, will he have left notes for Honorable Gail Fueler. Thank you.
Judge Shaller’s departure from Department 67 has caused several problems for people who had him as their Judge for anywhere from a few months to a few years! Just last night I was retained on a case where this is a BIG ISSUE of concern for a few lawyers and their clients — does Judge Feuer have a handle on these cases, and is she aware of the “tone” of previous appearances? My opinion is no, she does not! And how can she — sure there are judicial notes and all is documented by a court reporter, and all the attorneys have their notes and recollections, BUT, it is the ORIGINAL judge that knew the “tone” of the case and there is no way a new judge stepping in is going to be able to pick that up just from notes! I am sure that Judge Shaller left the notes behind, BUT how does this new judge interpret them, that is the problem that I am seeing. And my reports from the trenches are that more than a few lawyers are not happy with the decisions and orders coming from her honor!
What can you do? Who is your lawyer? Make damn sure that whoever he or she is that she is going on record with what has happened in the past and be SPECIFIC! And get it all back on the record in front of the new judge! The other side will try to be as “respectable” as possible, you know putting on the good face for the new judge! Also remember this, you will have to ride herd on the lawyer to be sure that these facts are getting a “fresh airing.” This goes for everyone who finds themselves in the situation of a new judge in mid-case.
You concerns are a MAJOR issue and don’t let anyone tell you that they are not — you are very smart for even thinking of this issue, as it is a big problem for many in Dept. 67 as we speak!
John