Truth - How It Is Supposed To Work

Lawyers are not supposed to lie in court nor allow their clients to lie if they know they are not telling the truth. In fact, lawyers are obligated to inform the court if they know their client is lying. That is supposed to be how it works as this article states. Sadly, as the facts in my case demonstrate, that is simply not the case. Lawyers are so rarely held accountable for lying in court (in Minnesota a lawyer has never been disciplined for lying in family court) let alone allowing their clients to lie that there is essentially zero risk to lying in court. Furthermore there is a huge incentive to lie as it wins cases, especially when the opposing side is honest. It is all about money. 

How can you tell when a lawyer is lying? When his lips are moving.

That may be a joke, but many believe it. They believe that lawyers will do or say anything that will help their client win.

Lies in Court

Modern Law has a brief but interesting article on lying by litigants in family court. It is a bit optimistic in that it assumes that judges will make the right decision which in my case was simply not true. 

If you can relate to these questions, there are four things you need to know:

1. Yes, if the opposing party has lied under oath, they have committed perjury, which is a crime;
2. Family court is separate from criminal court, to be charged with perjury, a prosecutor has to take an interest in the case;
3. I have never heard of a party to a family law case being charged with perjury;
4. It still matters.

Unfortunately nothing is said about lawyers lying in court. Which reminds me of the old joke:

        How can you tell when a lawyer is lying? When his lips are moving.

Did You Know...

 

A bit of interesting trivia I ran across. Originally in the United States divorces were granted by legislators not the courts. In the case of Washington D.C. it was the U.S. Congress who had to determine whether to grant the divorce or not. Gradually the power to grant a divorce was transferred to the courts and by 1886 it was mandated that only courts could grant divorces.

While the power was still vested with the legislatures, divorce notices often appeared in the papers. 

Interestingly some of the notices express a clear intent that the debts of the person who left will not be paid by the abandoned spouse. 

BURNHILL, John & Elizabeth: Whereas Elizabeth Burnhill, my wife, hath eloped from my bed and board, and living an adulteress with another man, this is to forewarn all persons whatever from trusting her on my account, as I will pay none of her debts, and I mean to apply to the next General Assembly of Maryland for an act of divorce. (Signed and dated) John Burnhill, Prince Georges County, MD, March 17, 1809 [Notice in the National Intelligencer, Wash, DC, April 12, 1809.]

HOWARD, Jesse and Amelia. All persons are hereby forbidden to trust Amelia Low (late my wife Amelia Howard) on my account, we having been divorced by mutual consent, as the law directs, and I will pay no debts of her contracting. (Signed and dated) Jesse Howard, May 4, 1819. [Notice in the National Intelligencer, Wash, DC, May 6, 1819.]

VIPI On Family Court Corruption

Veterans In Politics International (VIPI) has a video on family court corruption that is worth a view. The odd thing is that the show is done by Trump supporters yet is an condemnation on judicial corruption in family court. It goes to show that crime in family court is not a partisan issue. 

The Crazy Case of Patrizia Reggiani

In the 1970s, Patricia Reggiani married Maurizio Gucci, head of the Gucci fashion house and grandson of founder Guccio Gucci. After 12 years of marriage Maurizio left Patricia for a younger woman. They were divorced in 1992 with Patrizia receiving $500,000 annually in alimony. In 1995, Patrizia hired a hit man who assassinated Maurizio. 

After 18 years in prison, Patrizia was released. She was awarded back-payment of £16 million plus an annuity of £900,000 from the Gucci estate. As her two daughters are administering the estate of their father, she is in court proceedings against them. 

Wow - Italian courts are as messed up as they are here in the States. 

Ridley Scott is making a movie about the murder. Playing Patrizia will be...Lady Gaga!

A Poem!

Not to get too artsy but here is a poem that came to me while out running. Yeah, sometimes that happens. 

 At Least

The Iraqi torturer takes a break

when his wife calls

She asks about balloons

for their six year old’s birthday 

The minister in the sauna

fondles the young boys 

And as he does

thinks of a line for his sermon

The lawyer lies to the judge

in the name of advocacy

Then she wonders if she needs a canopy

for her daughter's graduation 

At least I am with Saddam

At least I am for God

At least I am rich

A New Phase

I have lost my job due to the Cornavirus. The company I work for has seen revenues down by over 80% since the start of the pandemic. Technically I took an early retirement package (I was with them for over 32 years) but I was advised to take the package or risk being let go. After I left, my position was eliminated. Previously my pay had been cut by 25% and my compensation reduced by well over 50% starting April 1st. 

I will go back to court to not only eliminate spousal support but vacate the order mandating it due to fraud upon the court. I have the evidence, the law is clear but the road will be hard because crime and corruption are endemic in family court. I am now working full time putting together a case. Very likely I will be representing myself as it has proven impossible, at least so far, to find an ethical lawyer to represent me. 

Although I am a realist, I cling to the hope of achieving justice not only for myself but for the many others who have been similarly harmed by the court.  All I can do is try.