Over the last few days there have been some discussions going on about the ACLU petition that was filed last week against Lee county. One of particular interest is presented below.
It all started out with a blog post by foreclosure defense attorney Mark Stopa titled One Objective – Disposing of Foreclosure Cases.
This is truly disgusting stuff. I’ll let you read for specifics, but from my perspective, all of the judges, in particular Judge Carlin, had one singular objective – dispose of foreclosure cases as quickly as possible, regardless of law, procedure, due process or basic fairness. To accomplish that end, these judges were willing to do seemingly anything, even create pre-determined rulings to legal issues.
Granting a motion for continuance? No way.
Lawyer not available for a hearing? Doesn’t matter; hearing proceeds.
Case not at issue? Doesn’t matter – set for trial anyway.
Plaintiffs cancelling hearings? Set a docket sounding so they can’t cancel.
Plaintiffs aren’t setting enough hearings? Contact them ex parte and tell them to set more hearings.
Not disposing of enough cases? Set quotas, increasing the number of cases being heard. 200 per session. 250. 500.
The parties want to abate a case to discuss settlement? Abatement is not an option, even when both sides want to resolve the lawsuit without a foreclosure.
Well, the above post (with a string comments) made it’s way to the Florida Bar’s President, Mayanne Downs and this is what she had to say to the email group.
I write as an individual, a lawyer in Florida who received this email. Although it would be easy not to respond, I cannot let the record stand with the statements made in this chain unrebutted.
I have read every email attached to this email. Not only do those emails NOT support the claims made below – that the judges in Lee County were acting in a “disgusting” fashion without regard to due process – but they actually show judges working hard to do their jobs as well as they can, and to find the appropriate way to process the staggering caseloads they must manage. These thoughtful judges are communicating about how best to proceed, trying to understand what their colleagues are doing, sharing approaches, and obviously interested in the best possible approach to a difficult problem.
It is wrong and unfair, in my opinion, to make sweeping derogatory statements about these judges, who cannot defend themselves. It is wrong to claim that a dense record supports a sweeping and damning conclusion, knowing that most will not take the time to read the materials. And it is unfair to do so in such a dramatic and widespread fashion.
I understand that people can have reasonable differences about what is right and wrong in these cases, and I certainly understand claims that due process is not being satisfactorily addressed. Those claims should be prosecuted or defended as the clients and their lawyers see fit. Sharing information is an admirable goal. Using a forum to damn others — not so much.
We all have an obligation to speak and act respectfully, and with due regard for our roles in our system of justice. Words have power, and we all have a responsibility to remember that.
I am confident that no one on this list intends harm, and I’m not suggesting that anyone has acted intentionally badly. I simply ask for some care, and caution, in how we communicate about these important issues.
Thanks for “listening.”
Best regards to all,
Mayanne Downs
All I can say on the above email is wow.
However, Mark Stopa had much more to say in response to Ms Downs.
Ms. Downs, As the author of the email/blog to which you respond, I deem it necessary and appropriate to respond to your email.
I have a great deal of respect for many if not most of Florida’s judges, and I believe the last paragraph of my email reflects that.
Regrettably, however, I don’t find anything the Lee County judges do to be “thoughtful” or “appropriate.”
You can check out the rest of Mark’s response here…
Maybe the bar should catch up on the situation in Lee County by reading some of the links below.
Daily Finance | Architect of Florida’s Infamous ‘Rocket Docket’ Foreclosures
Posted by Foreclosure Fraud on January 26, 2011
Architect of Florida’s Infamous ‘Rocket Docket’ Foreclosures By ABIGAIL FIELD Lee County, Florida has become infamous for speeding foreclosure cases through its courts. The super-charged system — or “rocket docket” – can dispense with a foreclosure case in minutes, sometimes mere seconds. In the interests of speed, the courts have even refused requests for delay … Read more
More on Lee County | Florida Is Still Letting Banks Break the Rules in Foreclosure Cases
Posted by Foreclosure Fraud on January 5, 2011
Florida Is Still Letting Banks Break the Rules in Foreclosure Cases By ABIGAIL FIELD Over the holidays, I wrote about judges in Lee County, Fla., and how they appear to prioritize completing foreclosures over the rule of law. The most extreme example was an order in one case by Judge James R. Thompson that specifically … Read more
OUTRAGEOUS | Are the Judges in Lee County Above the Law? Well, According to this Transcript and Order…
Posted by Foreclosure Fraud on January 5, 2011
When is this going to stop? Earlier this month we brought you an order out of Lee County that a Judge is flat out saying that the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure do not apply! WOW – Is Lee County Foreclosure Court Above the Law? Posted by Foreclosure Fraud on December 6, 2010 · This is … Read more
Scandalous | Leaked document shows Lee Co. judges tried to fix foreclosure error
Posted by Foreclosure Fraud on January 5, 2011
Well well well… Look what we have here… Leaked document shows Lee Co. judges tried to fix foreclosure error A 4 In Your Corner investigation reigning in Lee County foreclosure judges? Judges not requiring banks to show how much homeowners owe…even though they’re supposed to. Now, a leaked document has surfaced…showing Lee judges trying to … Read more
Rocket Docket Investigation – Pigs Ass Charlie Green, Lee County Clerk of Court at it Again
Posted by Foreclosure Fraud on December 24, 2010 · 10 Comments (Edit)
From Urban Dictionary: The term “pigs ass” is used in many situations. It is most commonly used when someone claims something is not true. And we all remember Lee County Clerk of Court Charlie Green from previous articles right? LEE COUNTY CLERK: CHARLIE GREEN Executive Assistant: Laura Bennett P. O. Box 2469, Ft. Myers, FL … Read more
WOW – Is Lee County Foreclosure Court Above the Law?
Posted by Foreclosure Fraud on December 6, 2010
This is outrageous! Now a Judge is flat out saying that the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure do not apply! Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 1.510 Summary Judgment e) Form of Affidavits; Further Testimony. Supporting and opposing affidavits shall be made on personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts as would be admissible in evidence, … Read more
More on Florida’s Kangaroo Foreclosure Courts (Lee County) from Christopher Meister
Posted by Foreclosure Fraud on November 24, 2010
First some commentary from Yves over at Naked Capitalism… Lisa Epstein of Foreclosure Hamlet sent an eye-opening letter from Christopher Meister, who ran for the sheriff of Lee County, Florida as an independent and lost. As much as I’ve read plenty of reports of dubious judicial behavior in Florida, I still find myself appalled when … Read more
Is Justice Dead? Attorney Mark Stopa – Final Judgment of Foreclosure – Without a Hearing!
Posted by Foreclosure Fraud on September 28, 2010
This comes in from Mark Stopa, you can check out his site here… Final Judgment of Foreclosure – Without a Hearing! I’ve had a lot of wild experiences in foreclosure cases, but this one might take the cake. … On September 2, 2010, I attended a hearing before Judge David Demers in Pinellas County Case No. … Read more
Fox 4 News Investigates Lee County’s “Rocket Docket” Program
Posted by Foreclosure Fraud on September 16, 2010
~Attorney Michael Chionopoulos~ “I was specifically told by one judge, counselor stop. I have 180 cases on my docket this morning. I’ve heard all the evidence I’m going hear. The defendant didn’t pay the mortgage, we’re done here” ~ And we all remember Lee County Clerk of Court Charlie Green from previous articles right? LEE … Read more
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Dear Mayanne Downs! Please open my Case No.: 16-2009-ca-111566-XXXX-MA. you will see WHAT A MESS IT IS! Almost TWO YEARS I’m fighting …with NOBODY! There is NO PLAINTIFF at all! I’am, Pro Se, filed about 60 Motions to prove that Wells Fargo is NOT Plaintiff. I brought to Court my Computer Portfolio page from Bank of America and Judges REFUSING EVEN TAKE A LOOK at them. I am a Defendant, Wells Fargo MUST TO PROVE its STANDING, not me. False ASSIGNMENTS are not our joke! I have THREE of them against one single and very rotten property. But I do not have DELIVERIES, ENDORSEMENTS and other transfer documents at all. My multiple Requests for Production, for Admission, Written Interrogatories WENT UNNOTICED by Theirs Honors and UNANSWERED by your Lawyers: Mr. J. Randolph Liebler (Liebler, Gonzalez & Portuondo, PA – from Miami. Complaint against him already filed before Fla. Bar. You can refresh it, if so HONEST. Next Law firm: “Marshal C. Watson Law Ofices”, next: “Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, McCoy & Ford, PA”. Read ar least last my Motions (April 07, 2011 & three Motions filed today: 04.11.11). These Judges and Lawyers are evils! Even little guy “The Special Foreclosure Clerk” makes lot of fraud: he plays with my Docket Sheet, as he pleased. All details I can provide you, if you will call me. In the end of every Motions is my tel. Enjoy by reading, when you’ll finish, you will HATE THOSE JERKS LIKE WE DO.
My Case: 16-2009-CA-11566, I made mistake above. Sorry!
I don’t think ANY of the comments are “damning”……THEY JUST TELL THE TRUTH…..which is something the Florida Bar knows nothing about!!!
Well said. You know we have to get these folks out of the positions they are in and like you say, get somebody in there who is ‘for the people’!
Downs is a foxess. She knows how to guard the fox-house. She is doing a great job doing it. This woman is part of the shyster problem within the Florida judiciary. For a judge, any judge to suspend the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and decide law by the seat of his/her underwear (pants), is shocking. For her to say these Lee County and other County rocket-docket judges are fair and working hard, is insanity speaking. She is not the one before these shyster judges and fighting for her home. She draws a big salary and has plenty of money to pay her mortgage. I say she should resign and let someone a little closer to the people and the real law sit in her chair. She needs to go back to her store-front, stip-center office.
I wish I was in Florida , lawyers would have a field day with all the evidence , and I mean original Docs I have in my fight against this foreclosure mess. Know of a attorney that get’s in SC let me know…..
robo judge in foreclosure cases is a black eye in our legal system. that is the reasons why a lot of decision made against homeowners are court decisions that were predetermined by a kangaroo court system.
foreclosure cases were treated differently either in bankruptcy court, federal court and state court. even the clerk of court committed misconduct and refused to file request for entry of default judgment. due process has been disregard openly by these robo- court, run by robo- judges and robo clerk in concert with robo foreclosure attorneys, robo debt collectors and robo signers.. we are run by ROBOS with real humans concepts. that what it means our govt. is also a ROBO GOVT.?
The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
Proverbs 10:28
The Lord Jesus Christ has never been wrong and He always keeps His promises. The wicked liar, fraudulent banks, courts, judges, and all associated with them shall have their expectation perish. Just wait.
AMEN!
Agreed AMEN, AMEN, AMEN, I SAY TO YOU AMEN!!!!! God has the last say, and when he decides to speak, look out.
Amen to that…He promises to expose those things done in darkness and to fight for His own…and I see this happening everyday in these discoveries…I also wa one of the robo docket clients and Stern’s in the Miami courts…so the president of the bar needs to do more investigations…