Rick Luthmann and I were back for the fourteenth episode of The Unknown.
We initially discussed the aftermath of the election, cancel culture, and the rise of the alternative media.
We also updated on Paul Boyne’s case, but of especial interest is a lawsuit I found from Nevada, pushing for open courtrooms.
The lawsuit was brought on behalf of Our Nevada Judges, and it argued there is a “pervasive practice of ‘super-sealing,’” court cases in Nevada.
The lawsuit specifically asked that termination of parental rights hearings be open to the public.
“Second, ONJ filed an unopposed request to restore SRCR 3(5)(c) access to a termination of parental rights action in the Family Division of the Eighth Judicial District Court. PA-044. District Court Judge Gregory Gordon (hereinafter “Judge Gordon”) granted the request in part, but allowed the entire case file to remain sealed. PA-049. Petitioner requests this Court issue a writ of mandamus directing the Judge Gordon to restore SRCR 3(5)(c) access to docket no. D-23-661332-R (hereinafter ‘the TPR Case’).” The lawsuit states.
In Nevada it states, “In every trial, the testimony of witnesses shall be taken in open court, unless otherwise provided by these rules or by statute.”
So, the practice of “super sealing” goes against the rules of civil procedures, from which this quote comes.
Nevada is not the only state to flaunt court rules and the constitution and engage in widespread sealing of cases despite what the law says.
In Idaho, Judge Diane “Mengele” Walker has a habit of sealing cases, despite the Idaho constitution saying otherwise.
When I interviewed Jeff Murray, he talked about Judge Walker’s penchant for closing courtrooms. Jeff’s statement is cued up.
Megan Fox of PJ Media captured a notorious incident with a Cook County judge, who claimed that all CPS court cases are closed to the public.
I had a similar incident with New Jersey Judge Angela Dalton, who kicked me out of her virtual courtroom, but not before she demanded to know how I found out about this virtual courtroom.
Now retired Judge David Belz of Orange County, California immediately kicked everyone out of his virtual courtroom in January 2024.
More recently, Tina Swithin, of One Mom’s Battle, told me about Cook County Judge Rosanna Fernandez, who was quite upset that Tina dared to log on to a hearing Judge Fernandez was conducting.
Tina told me that she routinely court watches, and her general protocol is to turn her microphone and video off, because having them can cause a distraction.
Judge Fernandez saw it differently. She quickly demanded her video on, and for Tina to identify herself.
Tina turned her video and wrote that she was an observer for the Girard case.
“As soon as she saw that, she was fuming,” Tina told me. “She basically accused us of harassing the court.”
Tina called Fernandez “unhinged.”
it’s an ongoing battle to keep courtrooms open, and so, this lawsuit is one to follow.
