Comments on: Time to bring back Calif. Justices of the Peace

By: William Suman

William Suman — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:33:41 +0000

I’m just now finding this excellent article. I’m coming in very late to the discussion. Has there been any more published on the subject of judicial reform in California and in particular the reinstatement of the JOP system?

By: Michael Lamboley

Michael Lamboley — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 03:44:20 +0000

Good article, well written, and a good idea. Let’s try it!

By: George Guynn, Jr

George Guynn, Jr — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 05:21:39 +0000

Great article, Michael. It is passed time to cut the fat. I have watched a lot of trials that have judges that would be overpriced if they worked for free! Using justice of the peaces is a great start to improve the process. Money can be saved and we get better decisions to boot. Bravo!

By: LibertyBelle

LibertyBelle — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:44:58 +0000

Too bad we cant just fire them all and start fresh! I agree, it does make sense to reinstate some JOP’s, but remember, this is California, and Cal. just DOES NOT make sense. How would we go about getting the JOP’S back in business, and what would happen to all of the Judges? They would still receive their huge salary wouldnt they? Would we be able to fire them all? And then we still have their retirement to pay. I know their are plenty of people out their willing to to a job, ANY job for less salary AND benefits, we could be saving MILLIONS!!

By: freedomgal

freedomgal — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 08:31:29 +0000

Fabulous article. A clear reminder of how a return to the simpler ways can be most rewarding..from every aspect.

The pros of bringing back the JOP far outnumber any cons that may be raised, in my opinion. The actuality of that happening, however, seems highly improbable considering the size of the current local government and the lack of desire on their part to acknowledge the benefits of such a plan..as opposed to the loss in income they would experience.
It puts me in mind of the Federal government refusing to address TORT reform as a means of reducing health care costs.

I did not see any suggestion in your article, Michael, about a possible strategy to bring back the JOP’s. If you’ve got one I would be extremely interested in hearing it. I am a “We The People” advocate and would love to sink my teeth into this one.

By: Ernest

Ernest — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 06:14:32 +0000

This is an excellent idea that will be opposed viciously by the established judiciary. It is essentially an expansion of small claims court. The problem with our current court system is that it is expensive, slow, and inconsistent. Look at the success of TV programs like Judge Judy: there are all sort of conflicts that need resolving on a local level. Instead they fester, until they become a police problem. I would love to see a large consumer rights organization take this on.

By: velayna

velayna — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 06:11:23 +0000

Salary seems to be a huge issue. It seems like the more they get paid, as with lawyers, the less one can expect from them along the lines of performance. Perhaps JOP duty could be a community assignment along with jury duty so that the people could expect to be judged by their peers and perhaps maybe even listened to!

By: Paul in CA

Paul in CA — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 03:12:23 +0000

A common sense approach is what we need. I have NEVER seen common sense in the court system, & when someone like Michael suggests change the usual response is negative because the pride thing jumps up “who are you to tell us”.

By: Dubare'

Dubare' — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 03:00:29 +0000

Excellent idea. As current judges retire, replace them with a sufficient number of JOP’s to do the job. Even tho retired judges will receive those hefty retirement benefits, those will eventually end. While it might take 20 or 30 years to significantly reduce the excessive costs of the judiciary, at least we, the Citizens of California, would be on the right path.

By: Liberty1776

Liberty1776 — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 02:43:53 +0000

Sounds like we sorely need to reconsider the existence of JOP’s if we have any of intention of living up to our revered standard, “Liberty and Justice for All”.

Great article.