Creating awareness of misconduct charges RE: Judge Michael J. Livingstone, Plymouth County MA

Seeking your help and support in creating public awareness of abusive judicial practices in our courts - particularly regarding Judge Michael J. Livingstone, Plymouth County Family and Probate Court.

Judge Livingstone was appointed in 2002 by Governor Jane Swift. In his 5 years he has the following distinctions

1. The most appealed Justice in the Commonwealth - 54 cases per http://www.ma-appellatecourts.org/search_judge.php?dlj=Livingstone.

(appeals generally cost 20,000 +++++ so only the wealthy can file.)

2. The first Justice in the Commonwealth in approximately 20 years to have misconduct charges filed against him by the Supreme Judicial Court - See Boston Globe article

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/23/plymouth_judge_accused_of_breaking_rules_of_conduct/


3. Sending an innocent man to jail. See: WVCB Boston Channel.com story at http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/14763949/detail.html

4. The highest contempt incarceration of any Judge in New England (according to blogger Chris of Needham Ma on blog found at topix.com/city/newbedford

I am compiling an archive of articles and cases for the press and public to use in creating awareness/pressure for the Judge to resign. Case docket numbers and personal identities will be held in the strictest confidence unless use is authorized or required by the Governor's office/appointee for verification.

I hope that by focusing on the obvious need for discipline with Judge Livingstone, collectively we may be able to influence broader action in our Judicial system. To raise the bar on professionalism and to insist on enforcing the Justices directive to make decisions in the best interest of the children of every family as provided for in our current set of laws.

If you have personal experience in Judge Livingstone's court, or know of someone who is willing to contribute, please ask them to do one or more of the following:

1. Send a letter to the Governor citing the injustice witnessed/experienced. cc Press and cc me at:

Jane Smith UPS Box
759 CJC Hwy Rte 3A #263
Cohasset, MA 02025

or JaneSmithorg@aol.com

Please provide me with an email address to keep you informed, and let me know if you want your case/docket number and names held in confidence or shared publicly.

2. Break the silence and SHARE! Tell the stories of those who have been damaged by Judge Livingstone's bad decisions. Get over the insecurities and lack of confidence caused by his abuse - turn it into strength and focus.

3. Check in and participate in as many blogs about this topic as possible. See: w.topix.com/city/new-bedford-ma/2007/10/ex-city-lawyer-faces-misconduct-charges-as-probate-judge

4. Google Judge Livingstone regularly to learn of the hearing date, location and be at the hearing. Bring support in the form of friends and family.

5. Sit in the Judge's court and witness how he treats other cases. Take notes. Then sit in on another Judge and compare. Send me your observations - carefully. We do not want to violate other family's cases or identities. All case numbers will be held in confidence.

6. Send me and others your ideas for how to better get the word out.


Following is an excerpt from the letter I sent Governor Patrick in November. (Happy to publish full text if anyone likes, but it's long and this is supposed to be an introduction.)

Consider the impact of one Justice…

According to the 2002 U.S. Census there are an estimated 113,623 family households in Plymouth County. Nearly 20%, or 22,414 are Female Householders. Nearly 13%, or 14,927, are Female Householder with own child(ren) under 18 living with them. 66.5% of all Female Householders are parents.

It is likely that the majority, if not very close to all, of the estimated 14,927 Female Householders had to appear before a Plymouth County Judge at some point re: custody, support, estate or other important family matter. This is but one County in Massachusetts. One County where just one Judge can set precedent far reaching to all 14 MA Counties.

A single Justice can see 8, 10, 12? families in a day not scheduled for a specific trial. Judge Livingstone is only in his mid fifties. He’s already inflicted far reaching harm to many families. Allowed to remain on the bench with his current approach to administering his own law, how many more families will be further hurt? How many abusive role models are strengthened and supported by lack of justice? And if any of those death threats are attempted let alone carried out, it’s one too many.

Judge Livingstone in his brief tenure on the bench has the distinction of being the most appealed Justice in the Commonwealth. I’ve learned first hand that the appeals process is available only to the most wealthy of our community. These facts alone provoke thought re: how many deeper injustices have been done by Judge Livingstone alone with the confidence that he will not be appealed because the parties simply don’t’ have and can’t raise the money? The cost of pursuing appeal allows far too much leeway for sloppy, careless, irreverent Judging.

As we get better organized, we will let you know of other efforts to create awareness. In the meantime for more info. see articles in archives of www.SouthCoastToday.com re: Livingstone including how he lived in an illegal basement apartment in New Bedford, in a commercial building he owned.

THANK YOU in advance for caring enough to read this, hopefully participating in our efforts to expand awareness thus influencing action.