Latest news with #JudicialCommission
CBS News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Formal complaint accuses Metro Detroit judge of mistreating court employees
A Michigan district court judge is accused of refusing to provide a psychological evaluation to the Judicial Tenure Commission and creating a "climate of fear among court personnel" in a new formal complaint. A complaint was filed on Wednesday against Judge Kristen Hartig, who served in the 52-4 District Court in Troy, Michigan. In a statement, Chief Judge Travis Reed said he requested that Hartig be temporarily removed from the docket. Hartig has 14 days to respond to the complaint. "The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of our courts. While due process is vital, accountability helps preserve public trust in the judiciary,' Reed said. "Based on the limited information available to me at the time, I removed Judge Hartig from the most serious cases within the authority I had as chief judge. Now that a formal complaint has been filed, further action may be appropriate. I believe temporarily removing her from her full docket would be in the best interest of the court and the communities we serve." According to the complaint, the commission began investigating misconduct allegations before April 2024. The commission concluded that mental health was an issue and ordered Hartig to undergo a psychological evaluation. After receiving her results, Hartig was ordered by the commission to provide the documents; however, she refused despite the commission extending the deadline to provide them. The complaint says that Hartig eventually submitted the documents six months after the commission requested them. The complaint included the findings from the exam, but it was blacked out as requested by Hartig, "pending a determination by presiding authorities as to whether it should be kept sealed during the pendency of the proceedings." The complaint claims that Hartig required a court administrator to be available during scheduled absences and scolded the administrator for not answering emails when she attended a funeral. Hartig allegedly told the administrator that she must be in contact with her every day unless she was "unconscious," according to the complaint. The commission accused Hartig of ordering the court administrator to find a substitute for a clerk, although that was not part of the administrator's duties. Additionally, Hartig was accused of directing a pregnant probation officer to stand up and show her belly during a Zoom meeting without the officer's consent. According to the complaint, Hartig is accused of improperly dismissing felony cases with prejudice to punish Oakland County prosecutors over scheduling issues and for prosecutors opposing hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The commission says Hartig only had the authority to dismiss cases without prejudice. In one of those cases, the commission says Hartig's dismissal "was not made in good faith and/or with due diligence." Hartig became a district court judge in 2010, according to her bio on the court's website. She currently oversees the Recovery Treatment Court, which works to rehabilitate people, and has conducted town halls to educate residents on the opioid epidemic.
The Star
29-04-2025
- The Star
Over 70 Chinese nationals involved in online scams transferred from Myanmar to China
YANGON: On April 25, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) Judicial Commission transferred 72 Chinese nationals engaged in online scam operations to China, according to reports. The UWSA announced that these individuals were handed over, along with associated materials, through the Meng'a border gate on April 25. The UWSA stated it has been conducting ongoing crackdowns on online scam operations within the Wa Self-Administered Region. Some scam groups had allegedly entered the area illegally via unofficial border crossings. The UWSA emphasised in its statement that it would strictly block and shut down online scam activities within its territory. Following intelligence on online scam operations, the Wa State Judicial Commission conducted investigations and raids at four locations, arresting 71 Chinese nationals and seizing 301 mobile phones and 31 computers. Those arrested, along with the confiscated items, were transferred to Chinese authorities via the border gate on April 25. The UWSA further announced on April 26 that if any offices or residences are rented out to online scam groups, those properties will be confiscated. Due to police operations to dismantle online scam networks in the Wa region, some suspects attempted to flee to avoid arrest, according to sources. The UWSA reported that the crackdown has achieved significant results and issued four key directives aimed at intensifying the fight against online fraud networks. The UWSA warned that any form of participation or collusion with online scams would be strictly prohibited, and violators would face severe punishment. The statement added that anyone living in the Wa region found supporting or facilitating online scam operations — including renting out offices or homes — would have their properties seized. Additionally, hotels or individuals suspected of involvement must undergo thorough document verification and must immediately report any suspicious activity to judicial authorities. The UWSA stressed the importance of public cooperation in efforts to eradicate online scam activities and encouraged citizens to report any suspicious incidents. Previously, the UWSA also transferred 48 online scam suspects to China in early April and handed over two wanted scam leaders along with 16 Chinese nationals on March 13. - Eleven Media/ANN
Express Tribune
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Four SC judges urge CJP to delay new appointments, call for full court on amendments
Listen to article Four Supreme Court judges have written to Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi urging a delay in the appointment of new judges, Express News reported. The letter, addressed to the chairman of the Judicial Commission, stressed the importance of forming a full court to address the issue of judicial appointments and the ongoing constitutional amendment case. It expressed concern over the potential complications arising from the upcoming judicial appointments and their impact on the ongoing constitutional amendment case. The judges who signed the letter include Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Ayesha Malik, and Justice Athar Minallah. The judges highlighted that the constitutional bench hearing the 26th Amendment case should ideally be expanded into a full court. They cautioned that if new judges are appointed, it may lead to a dispute over the composition of the full court. They also referred to a recent instance where three judges were transferred to the Islamabad High Court, necessitating their re-taking of the oath, in accordance with the Constitution. In their letter, the judges emphasised the need for immediate attention to the constitutional amendment case, suggesting that it should be heard by a full court to ensure transparency and impartiality. They pointed out that the case had already been delayed, and urged that before the next hearing of the case, any hasty appointments should be avoided. The judges also expressed concern that any appointments made at this stage could undermine public confidence in the judicial process. They further raised the critical question of how the full court would be constituted if their request for a full court is granted. They also questioned whether the newly appointed judges would be included in the full court, and if not, whether the bench would still qualify as a true full court. The letter also pointed out that if the current constitutional bench continues to hear the case, public trust in the judicial process might already be compromised, with concerns over "court-packing" emerging in the public's perception.
Express Tribune
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
LHCBA moves court against JC meeting
ISLAMABAD: The LHCBA filed a miscellaneous petition in the Supreme Court on Thursday, requesting for the postponement a meeting of the Judicial Commission, scheduled to take place on February 11. In its petition the LHCBA said that the court had issued notices in the 26th Constitutional Amendment case, while a Judicial Commission meeting was called for the appointment of judges in the Supreme Court. It added that a general impression was that the meeting had been called for "court packing". The appointment of eight Supreme Court judges will be considered in the Judicial Commission meeting on February 11.
