Residents Call for Removal of Third District Judge
April 13, 2011
Utah: Saratoga Springs: Tuesday's City Council meeting had a unanimous message from the more than 30 people attending. The message was to fire Justice Court Judge Keith Stoney and the message rang loud and clear.
Edward Peltekian, who had been the organizer of the campaign to oust Stoney during last November’s judicial retention election, led residents saying that the justice court under Judge Stoney and prosecutor Lindsay Jarvis was crushing the resident's constitutional rights, inflicting arbitrary punishment, and causing the city a great deal of embarrassment.[1]
Protesters at last November's campaign had signs that accused Judge Stoney of turning “good citizens into criminals” and likening him to “Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde."[2]
“He violates civil rights and he violates judicial procedure,” stated Peltekian.[2]
Peltekian said the he and his family had been charged with misdemeanor charges by Judge Stoney for allowing a dog to run loose and that the incident should have been handled administratively.
One of the protestor's from the campaign, former computer pitchman “Super” Dell Schanze, claimed that Judge Stoney gave harsher sentences to those who tried to defend their innocence before him, versus those who just plead guilty.[2]
Prosecutor Lindsay Jarvis waved the allegations as 'false and baseless.'[1] The evidence to counter the charges however, is protected by attorney privilege and could not be disclosed publicly.
Jarvis characterized the countless critics as 'disgruntled defendants,' and said, "When they’re ready to have the information come out, we’ll sit down and have a discussion. They have slandered us for two years without us saying a word."[1]
However, residents still argue that Prosecutor Jarvis and Judge Stoney crushed their constitutional rights when they appeared in the courtroom.
See also
- News: Judge Stoney announces retirement amid complaints, September 19, 2012
External links
- Utah News.The Salt Lake Tribune-Saratoga residents want justice court judge ousted-October 8, 2010
- Vote No On Stoney
- facebook.com-NO To Stoney
Footnotes
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