Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Should these Judicial Candidates retain their office?

Sue E. Myerscough
Bio

Thomas Difanis (R), 1995, 2008

Put a stop Urbana City Council from meeting in private.

Harry E. Clem (R), 1979, 2008

Nothing really solid can be found beyond individual cases.

Arnold F. Blockman (D), 1996, 2008
Primarily tries family custody cases and states that with the current laws, custody is primary given to one parent. He's gotten a lot of static from fathers, where groups have even posted billboards against him. The following links will provide more insight into this matter.
Fatherless in America
Divorce and Custody excerpts:
"For those unhappy about his custody rulings, Blockman said the appellate court is probably the best indicator of if his actions are appropriate. Since taking the bench, Blockman said, 105 of his rulings have been appealed; 91 were affirmed outright; seven were partially affirmed. That means seven cases, or less than 7 percent, were overturned. Those numbers involve all kinds of cases, but for the last five years, he's done essentially nothing but family cases... Blockman said it's true he doesn't grant joint custody when only one parent wants it. But it's because the law precludes him, not because he has a prejudice against a particular parent."
News-Gazette: Judge receives criticism

Katherine McCarthy
Commenter on blog calls her "nice" and "reasonable"

A. G. Webber
Judging the Judges
More on the above