FEBRUARY 2015 RULES COMMITTEE MEETING!

The next meeting of the Rules Committee is scheduled to be held on Monday, February 9, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. in the Supreme Court Building, 231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford. Wheelchair access is located in the rear of the building, accessible from the staff parking lot between Lafayette and Oak Streets. There are a limited number of handicap parking spots in the gated staff lot, which is accessible from Oak Street. Use the intercom at the gate to speak to security about the availability of parking. Once at the accessible door, use the intercom to request entry from security. If you would like to attend the meeting and need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please email the committee at Joseph.DelCiampo@jud.ct.gov before February 5th.

 

ATTORNEY TINA MINKOWITZ WILL BE SPEAKING MORE TODAY ABOUT INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS, RELEVANT PORTIONS OF THE CRPD ARE BELOW!

Article 23 - Respect for home and the family

 1. States Parties shall take effective and appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against persons with disabilities in all matters relating to marriage, family, parenthood and relationships, on an equal basis with others, so as to ensure that:

a) The right of all persons with disabilities who are of marriageable age to marry and to found a family on the basis of free and full consent of the intending spouses is recognized;

b) The rights of persons with disabilities to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children and to have access to age-appropriate information, reproductive and family planning education are recognized, and the means necessary to enable them to exercise these rights are provided;

c) Persons with disabilities, including children, retain their fertility on an equal basis with others.

2. States Parties shall ensure the rights and responsibilities of persons with disabilities, with regard to guardianship, wardship, trusteeship, adoption of children or similar institutions, where these concepts exist in national legislation; in all cases the best interests of the child shall be paramount. States Parties shall render appropriate assistance to persons with disabilities in the performance of their child-rearing responsibilities.

 

3. States Parties shall ensure that children with disabilities have equal rights with respect to family life. With a view to realizing these rights, and to prevent concealment, abandonment, neglect and segregation of children with disabilities, States Parties shall undertake to provide early and comprehensive information, services and support to children with disabilities and their families.

 

4. States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures, that such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child. In no case shall a child be separated from parents on the basis of a disability of either the child or one or both of the parents.

 

5. States Parties shall, where the immediate family is unable to care for a child with disabilities, undertake every effort to provide alternative care within the wider family, and failing that, within the community in a family setting.

 

http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=283

 

To hear more about this challenging topic, join Attorney Tina Minkowitz during her talk today in Hartford.  More details are below:

 

January 30, 2015

10:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Toivo

399 Franklin Ave.

Hartford, CT  06114

 

FREE EVENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY

ADVOCACY UNLIMITED!

Tina Minkowitz is president and founder of the Center for the Human Rights of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry.  She is a lawyer as well as a survivor activist and represented the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry in the drafting and negotiation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD).  Ms. Minkowitz is internationally recognized as an expert on the CRPD and is credited with some of its most far-reaching provisions along with others who working together made it all possible.

 

HUMAN RIGHTS WITH TINA MINKOWITZ!

Join us for a discussion on the United Nations perspective on forced and coercive psychiatric treatment.

January 29, 2015

1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

CT Women's Consortium

2321 Whitney Avenue, Suite 401

Hamden, CT  06518

 

or

 

January 30, 2015

10:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Toivo

399 Franklin Ave.

Hartford, CT  06114

FREE EVENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY

ADVOCACY UNLIMITED!

Tina Minkowitz is president and founder of the Center for the Human Rights of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry.  She is a lawyer as well as a survivor activist and represented the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry in the drafting and negotiation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD).  Ms. Minkowitz is internationally recognized as an expert on the CRPD and is credited with some of its most far-reaching provisions along with others who working together made it all possible.

RSVP via email to:
lientini@mindlink.org
adeonarine@mindlink.org

Divorce in Connecticut: SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Divorce in Connecticut: SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: The editors of  DIC  generally read and accept queries and submissions year round on topics related to Family Court in Connecticut--Judges,...

RULES COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE SUPERIOR COURT!

The next meeting of the Rules Committee is scheduled to be held on Monday, January 12, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. in the Supreme Court Building, 231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford. 

Wheelchair access is located in the rear of the building, accessible from the staff parking lot between Lafayette and Oak Streets. There are a limited number of handicap parking spots in the gated staff lot, which is accessible from Oak Street. Use the intercom at the gate to speak to security about the availability of parking. Once at the accessible door, use the intercom to request entry from security. 

If you would like to attend the meeting and need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please email the committee at Joseph.DelCiampo@jud.ct.gov before January 8th.  

CT-N INAUGURATES 2015 WITH LIVE COVERAGE OF OPENING DAY!

CT-N reports as follows:  "Hartford, CT – Starting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 7, the Connecticut Network (CT-N), will kick off live coverage of the second inauguration of Governor Dannel P. Malloy and the first day of the 2015 Legislative Session as it hosts CT-N Inauguration and Opening Day 2015 on television and on their website at CT-N.com   

CT-N Inauguration and Opening Day 2015 will be led by CT-N's Diane Smith who will host live guests – including historians, political commentators and legislative leaders – throughout the day. Diane will guide viewers through one of the busiest days on the 2015 state government calendar and discuss the important legislative issues that are expected to be brought up during the upcoming session.  

CT-N will provide live coverage of the inauguration ceremonies for Governor Dannel P. Malloy, who will be entering his second term as Connecticut's governor after his victory in the November 2014 Gubernatorial Election. As is custom, Governor Malloy will walk in the Inauguration Day Parade (scheduled for 11:30 a.m.) along Capitol Avenue in Hartford to his ceremony at the State Armory, where the Oath of Office will be administered at 1:30 p.m."

For more information on this subject, please click on the link below:

http://www.ctn.state.ct.us/press.asp

 

 

DECEMBER 2014 RULES COMMITTEE MEETING COMING UP!

The next Rules Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 2:00p.m. in the Supreme Court Building, 231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford. 


For those who are unfamiliar, this is the Committee that decides what rules will be placed in The Connecticut Practice Book, the rules which determine court room procedures, i.e. what can and what can be done in legal proceedings including those taking place Family Court.

No agenda for the meeting is available as of this time. 

COURTWATCHER ALERT: TRIAL BEGINS MONDAY IN COLLEEN KERWICK CUSTODY CASE!

We need courtwatchers for Colleen Kerwick's custody trial which will start this Monday, October 20, 2014 starting at 10:00am at the Middletown Courthouse at 1 Court Street. 

 

For a quick overview of this case, see Colleen's narrative below:

 

I am an attorney and activist from Ireland who needs help in Connecticut. My American husband took our Irish Citizen son away from me, assisted by a Family Court system which retaliated against me for my activism for others. I have not seen my son (born August 15, 2009) since January 4, 2014 despite no finding of unfitness or neglect.

I asked for a divorce from my ex husband in 2011 over domestic violence. See police reports/arrests here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/198854405/Kenneth-Savino-Police-Reports.

I waived alimony and agreed to joint physical custody to end the conflict for our son in 2013. Unfortunately he proceeded to made a slew of unsubstantiated allegations post judgment before resorting to falsely claiming that an "amber alert" was being processed in an ex parte motion. I lost my son before I even had an opportunity to be heard. See article here:

http://divorceinconnecticut.blogspot.com/search/label/ANNE%20STEVENSON

On the return date of the motion, I was retaliated against by the Guardian ad Litem on account of my advocacy for others against vendor malfeasance in the Family Courts. Despite acknowledging that there was no amber alert or history of contempt of any access orders, she recommended that the order of custody removal be sustained and only offered me pay per view parenting at $100 an hour. The judge who signed the order had her judicial reappointment challenged by 67 state representatives and is no longer a Family Court Judge. The GAL was removed from the case and brought under criminal investigation. However, the order stands despite the absence of abuse, neglect or unfitness. Supervised access never happened as the facilities designed for inmates turned down the business and third parties were chased away by my ex.

 

Here is the newspaper article and my testimony which the Guardian ad Litem retaliated over:

 

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/speaking-family/2013/dec/26/ct-task-force-spars-parents-over-billing-fraud-fam/
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nb5BzhcZV80
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOCpGBB-28A

This is the last time I saw my adorable son whom I miss and love with all my heart.

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152148194392943&set=vb.654877942&type=2&theate

On August 22 2014 Ken Savino got me arrested for 'second degree harrassment', a deportable offense. After shopping around arrest attempts between multiple police departments for years (in vain), he finally got a warrant for my sending him a text message threatening him with contempt of court for denying me court ordered phone access with my son after he asked me not to.

 

If I had anything to hide, I would not be going so public about this. I have no mental or physical limitations to parenting or substance abuse issues et al, yet crack addicts and prostitutes have more access to their children.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2014, RULES COMMITTEE MEETING!

Rules Committee Meeting

Monday, September 22, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

Supreme Court Courtroom

Supreme Court Building

Agenda

1-1. Approval of the minutes of the meeting held on May 19, 2014.



1-2. Proposed Rules Committee meeting schedule for 2014/2015.



1-3. Proposal by Judge Eddie Rodriguez, Jr. concerning Notice of Administrative Suspension of Attorneys (first time being considered).



1-4. Proposal by Judge Jon Alander to amend Section 40-13(a) to add to that section the obligation of a prosecutor to make "a reasonable affirmative effort" to obtain the criminal history of a state’s witness, as required by State v. Siano, 216 Conn. 273 (1990); and to amend Section 40-11 to eliminate the requirement that the defendant make a written request that the state disclose exculpatory information and materials (first time being considered).



1-5. Proposal by Attorney Kevin G. Smith to amend the Practice Book to explicitly allow a party to file reply memoranda (first time being considered).




1-6. Proposals by several individuals to revise various Superior Court rules and forms. Referred to the Rules Committee by the Supreme Court from its public hearing on rules and forms held on April 14, 2014. Those proposals are as follows:



A. Proposal by Attorney Joseph P. Latino to amend the wage and financial institution execution forms (JD-CV-3a and JD-CV-24);

Proposal by Attorney Eric H. Opin to amend the financial institution execution form (JD-CV-24).



B. Proposal by Ms. Jane Doe #1 to amend Rule 3.11 of the Code of Judicial Conduct to add a provision requiring a probable cause hearing, when a judge fails to acknowledge having served as a director of a nonprofit corporation and fails to disclose this in awarding contracts to board members.



C. Proposal by Mr. Eric Stevens to add new subsections to Rules 1.2, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.14 of the Rules of Professional Conduct to require an attorney who has been appointed as a guardian ad litem (GAL) or as attorney for a minor child (AMC) to: Agenda September 2014.doc 2




(1) notify the court if they become aware of threats to the safety of a parent;



(2) provide to the judicial authority in advance of appointment retainer agreements, hourly fees and payment terms;



(3) notify the court if they become aware of reports of child abuse or neglect;



(4) treat minor children in custody disputes in the same manner "as any client who is an unimpaired adult," and to amend Rule 3.3 of the Rules of Professional Conduct to require that any GAL or AMC who knowingly or willfully does anything dishonest in court be prosecuted for criminal perjury.



D. Proposal by Ms. Marisa Ringel to adopt new Section 25-70, requiring an evidentiary hearing prior to an order of supervised visitation and providing that orders of supervised visitation will not remain in place for more than three months.



E. Proposal by Hector Morera seeking the repeal of Practice Book Sections 25-62 and 25-62a, concerning the appointment of GALs and AMCs.



F. Proposal by Ms. Susan Skipp that the provisions of Practice Book Section 25-60a are inadequate to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of medical records and psychiatric evaluations.



G. Proposal by Mr. Daniel M. Lynch seeking to clarify Practice Book Sections 2-49, 2-52, 2-71, 62-4, and 63-10.



H. Proposal by Ms. Sojourner Truth to modify Practice Book Section 23-68 to require an incarcerated self-represented party’s written consent as a prerequisite to ordering a videoconference hearing.



I. Proposal by Ms. Sara Burns suggesting modifications to Practice Book Section 7- 19 to "promote [the] same access for self-represented parties to standard discovery within thirty days of the issuance of the subpoena, as is mandated by [Practice Book §] 25-32 (a)."
 

J. Proposal by Ms. Jane Doe #2 that attorneys should be required to co-sign financial affidavits "under threat of sanctions and incarcerations, which is required of all self-represented litigants."



K. Proposal by Ms. Kate Howard for a new rule concerning the foreclosure docket. Agenda September 2014.doc 3




L. Proposal by Queen of Sheba concerning Practice Book Section 17-45, pertaining to summary judgment motions.



M. Proposal by Anon #5 to amend Rule 3.2 of the Code of Judicial Conduct to prohibit judges from appearing at public hearings, other than confirmation or reconfirmation hearings, unless a subpoena has been issued by the Office of the Attorney General.



1-7. Proposal by Ms. Anonymous that a new Practice Book Section be adopted requiring that transcripts and memoranda of decisions involving children’s medical conditions and treatment be redacted (suggestion received during testimony at May 19, 2014, public hearing).



1-8. Proposal by Attorney Lori Petruzzelli that the Rules Committee consider Section 23-61 in light of Public Act 14-156, An Act Concerning Arbitration in Motor Vehicle Cases (first time being considered).



1-9. Comments from various individuals received during the Rules Committee’s Public Hearing held on May 19, 2014, regarding Public Act 14-3, AAC Guardian Ad Litems and Attorneys for Minor Children in Family Matters.




Letter from Judge Bozzuto regarding comments received by the Rules Committee concerning Public Act 14-3.



1-10. Such other matters as may come before the Rules Committee.

DIVORCE IN CONNECTICUT ENDORSES JOHN MCKINNEY AND DAVE WALKER!

As voters go to the polls tomorrow to make their choice regarding Connecticut's future Governor, I want to urge all Divorce in Connecticut readers to vote for John McKinney for Governor and Dave Walker as Lt. Governor.  This is a ticket that has a strong commitment to ethical court reforms in our State's Judicial Branch.  He is ready to go beyond rhetoric and take the actual steps that are necessary to create change and bring justice to family court here in Connecticut.

Senator McKinney is a strong, hard working candidate who is not afraid to take on the difficult challenges that are necessary to build an ethically sound, fiscally strong government for the State of Connecticut.  McKinney's plan to reduce the State budget, to reduce the size of State government, and reduce the income tax for some of our harder working State families makes perfect sense.  His approach will encourage business and industry leaders who need to know that the State of Connecticut has an investment in their well being and prosperity and the success of all of Connecticut's citizens not just a privileged well connected few.

So, again, I encourage every one of you to get out and vote tomorrow.  Make sure you vote for John McKinney and Dave Walker who have a record of standing by Connecticut's citizens, and who are committed to you and to your family and to making sure that we have a strong, ethical, and economically sound government.


________________
Fox News Link on the elections today:


http://foxct.com/2014/08/11/primary-elections-tomorrow-in-connecticut/

ELIZABETH A. RICHTER UNCENSORED!

Announcing the publication of Elizabeth A. Richter's new book, "Songs of the Captive Unchained".  This book is a collection of Ms. Richter's essays written from 1993 up until the present and contains those very ideas for which the Connecticut Judicial Branch put her on trial.  

It is a must read for all consumers and survivors of mental health treatment as well as victims of the current Connecticut Judicial Branch policy of discrimination against persons with labels as a way to deny fit parents access to their children.

If you are interested in obtaining a soft cover copy of this book, please send your check or money order of $10.00 to the address below:

Ms. Elizabeth A. Richter

P.O. Box 5

Canton, CT  06019

MAY 19, 2014, AT 2:00 P.M. RULES COMMITTEE MEETING!

May 19, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., the Rules Committee of the Superior Court will conduct a public hearing in the Supreme Court in Hartford for the purpose of receiving comments concerning the following Practice Book revisions which are being considered by the Committee. The proposed revisions will be printed in the April 29, 2014, issue of the Connecticut Law Journal and will be posted on the Judicial Branch website at http://www.jud.ct.gov/pb.htm. The public hearing will be followed by a Rules Committee meeting in the Supreme Court.

Written comments may be forwarded to the Rules Committee at the following address:

Rules Committee of the Superior Court
Attn: Joseph J. Del Ciampo, Counsel
P.O. Box 150474
Hartford, CT 06115-0474

Written comments must be received by May 15, 2014.

Each speaker at the public hearing will be limited to five minutes. Anyone who believes that they cannot cover their remarks within that time period may submit written comments to the Rules Committee. If written comments are submitted, ten copies should be provided.

Wheelchair access is located in the rear of the building, accessible from the staff parking lot between Lafayette and Oak Streets. There are a limited number of handicap parking spots in the gated staff lot, which is accessible from Oak Street. Use the intercom at the gate to speak to security about the availability of parking. Once at the accessible door, use the intercom to request entry from security.

 

If you would like to attend the meeting and need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, before May 15, 2014, please email the Rules Committee at:

Joseph.DelCiampo@jud.ct.gov.

PROTEST THE APA, JOIN THE FREE JUSTINA CAMPAIGN, MAY 4, NEW YORK CITY: BE THERE!

PROTEST ABUSE OF CT CITIZEN JUSTINA PELLETIER: MAY 4, 2014, NYC!

MindFreedom International is organizing a protest of the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting May 4th in New York City.  I think it is so important that Jim Gottstein himself is coming from Alaska to participate.  I really hope you can join us.  There is a Facebook Event Page, #StopPsychAssault: Protest the American Psychiatric Association, NYC 2014, that just got launched today. 

 

In addition to protesting (1) psychiatric imprisonment, euphemistically called involuntary commitment, (2) forced drugging, (3) Electroshock, (4) seclusion & restraint, etc., we are joining those in the Free Justina Pelletier effort.  

 

·         #StopPsychAssault: Protest the American Psychiatric Association, NYC 2014

·         #FreeJustina: Protest the American Psychiatric Association, May 4, 2014, NYC

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON RULES AND FORMS!

"There will be a public hearing to receive suggestions for new rules and forms, and for changes to existing rules and forms that regulate pleading, practice and procedure in Connecticut state courts. The existing rules of practice and forms are posted on the judicial branch website.

The hearing will be held on Monday, April 14, 2014, at 10 a.m. in the Supreme Court in Hartford. It will be conducted by the justices of the Supreme Court or a committee of the justices under Section 51-14 (c) of the Connecticut General Statutes."

For more information on this meeting, please click on the link below:

https://www.jud.ct.gov/external/news/press369.htm

HEARD ON THE GRAPEVINE ABOUT ANONYMOUS TESTIMONY TOMORROW!

Anyone that wants to submit written testimony (at the hearing tomorrow 3/31/14 at 10:00am) as "Anonymous" or Jane or John Doe and does not want to use their email account can send their testimony to Marisa at:

marisaringel@gmail.com

today or tonight or before 6am tomorrow to submit for them.

You can also testify orally as anonymous or Jane or John Doe. The videotape will only show the back of you not your face. I believe as that is how they ran it last time.

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM JENNIFER VERRANEAULT!

As we get ready for Monday's public hearing, please monitor PAINCT on facebook to get updated information. 

It's really important that your voice be heard on Monday. Our goal is NOT to be "disgruntled parents who didn't get our way" as my former member of the TF to Study the Care and Custody of Minor Children in Legal Disputes, Attorney Sharon Dornfeld is accusing all of us of. We need to stick to facts and give our 3 minute  testimony as to why GALS should be eliminated absent abuse and neglect cases, Equal Shared Parenting is in the best interest of our children and IF our elected legislators cannot eliminate GALS and AMCS due to political pressures, then strict guidelines, oversight and fee caps need to be enforced this legislative session.

The language of Raised Bill No. 494 is not final. Please let your supportors know this fact.  The bill will be amended/changed before it gets voted out of the Judiciary Committee and then the real work begins in the House of Representatives and then the State Senate. 

Don't be discouraged. It's a dictate from above that this GAL system gets fixed so it will be. It's an election year and they all have the best interest of their constituents in mind. I truly believe our elected officials want to do what's best for our children and families of Connecticut; so let's give them facts and reasons to really change a broken and abusive system. 

More details to come throughout this weekend. Please confirm you will be at the hearing on Monday. 

Also, remember the testimony needs to focused on solutions not about our stories. 

Thank you,

Jennifer

NEW OPPORTUNITY ON DIVORCE IN CONNECTICUT: CALL FOR ARTICLES!

Divorce in Connecticut is now opening itself up to articles from outside the blog.  Well, actually, DIC has always been open to this on an informal basis, but now the blog is formally announcing that this opportunity is available!  All interested writers are welcome to submit their work as of this time.  For more information regarding submission guidelines, please click on the link below:

http://divorceinconnecticut.blogspot.com/p/submission-guidelines.html

PUBLIC HEARING ON BILL #494, MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014, AT 10:00AM, IN ROOM 1D OF THE LOB!

Judiciary Committee

PUBLIC HEARING

Monday, March 31, 2014

10:00 AM in Room 1D of the LOB

PLEASE TAKE TIME TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO CONTACT YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND LOVED ONES NOW TO ASK FOR THEIR SUPPORT & PRESENCE AT MONDAY'S HEARING.
 

If you wish to testify, sign up for the hearing is 8:00-9:30AM
You must state related bill #(494).

For more information regarding the contents of Bill #494, see the following link:

http://divorceinconnecticut.blogspot.com/2014/03/raised-bill-484-re-gals-raised-by.html

For directions to the Legislative Office Building, please click on the link below:

http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/DrivingDirections.asp

Speaking order is by lottery. However, if you arrive later, you can sign up directly in the hearing room and be placed at end of list.

 

First hour is reserved to state agencies and legislators.

 

If your friends and family do not wish to give testimony they can still come to the hearing at 10:00AM if they simply want to be present to support you.

 

 

Submittal of written testimony:

 

Email testimony to : jud.testimony@cga.gov

 

or submit written testimony (45 copies) to Rm 2500 any day prior to the hearing  but no later than 1 hr prior to the hearing - otherwise it may not be distributed until after the hearing.

Written testimony should not be longer than a single page in order to fit the 3 minute limit to public testimony!
 

 

Testimony is limited to matters related to the bills!

After the Joint Committee on Judiciary is done reviewing this bill and has heard from the public, it will then go to the House and Senate for review.

 

It is important that we all focus on the specific language and suggest any changes based on those changes. 

 

It is extremely important that you and your families, extended family, and friends come to speak out on March 31, 2014 - if only to say that you are watching and aware of the legislation and support much needed changes. Your friends and family need not say much - but their support is HUGE!

PETER SZYMONIK IS ON NPR THIS MORNING!

Today Peter Szymonik has been invited to be part of a panel discussion tomorrow morning on NPR Radio in Hartford, from 9:00am-10:00am, about the GAL problem in this state. 

 

Rep. Ed Vargas, Elizabeth Thayer and Jeff Michelson (a GAL) are also part of the panel.

 

Tune in and ask your questions, join the conversation!