Day 8. "The system works."???

I was talking to a government staffer a few days ago, telling him about how Judge Hinson was resigning shortly (not "taking early retirement") due to this Complaint of Judicial Misconduct. His comment startled me. "The system works!"

Does 'The System' work?

I suppose it does, in a way. I mean, if we lived in Cuba, there's no way you would be able to remove a judge for violating the law. Rather, they would remove you. And I'm thankful for that. (That's not to say there haven't been repercussions for filing this Complaint. Can you say, "Joe the plumber?" Wait for my book, "Prescott. Small Town politics.")

But 'The System' doesn't work very well. Remember, the Commission on Judicial Conduct knew about Judge Hinson's Constitutional violations since 2001. The warned him two more times after that before this complaint was filed. He was not disciplined until some concerned citizen made a big stink.

But the Supreme Court (Finance Department thereof) had ALL the records of Judge Hinson's violations. Jeanne Hicks, clerk of the Superior Court in Yavapai County had all the data. [A retiring clerk told me they called the Quarterly Audits "Tattle Tale reports." Admittedly, an uncomfortable position to be in, having to "tattle" on a judge. But that's what the Code of Ethics require.] The System had all the information it needed. But no one did anything with it.

So to say "The system works" without some qualification is like saying a car with three flat tires, a bad engine, and no starter "works."

Ya gotta push it to get it going. If you get it going, it's liable to stop—or backfire!—at any time. And even if you get it started and running, it's really slow going.

[And I haven't mentioned the lack of any criminal prosecution or move to impeach Judge Hinson. As of this writing, the System isn't working there at all.]

One thing is for sure. If YOU don't get involved, if YOU don't get in the driver's seat and push, nothing will happen.

You victims, please help me push for criminal prosecution and impeachment of Judge Hinson. Hopefully, you'll make a stink on the 30th, in front of the Courthouse on Judge Hinson's last day.