This is a summary of a letter written to the Governor of New Jersey questioning how the courts in New Jersey “do not function.” It was written Feb. 20, 1997. There are two letters to Governor Christie Todd Whitman asking her to intervene and to fix a broken court system.

Part of the letter addresses an article from the New York Times

On Sunday, February 16, 1997, the Times published an article titled “Goodbye, Divorce Court.” The article was written by a matrimonial attorney who has changed professions.

It is an analysis of divorce from the prospective of an attorney who does not have to lie in court any more. One of the headings in the article is titled:

LIE? IN A COURT OF LAW? THE JUDGE DEMANDS IT

In New Jersey Mr. Eisenstein has seen lawyers lie, and has seen judges support and encourage these lies. The legal code of ethics requires a judge or an attorney to report improper, unethical, criminal, or immoral behavior to the prosecutor or the bar ethics committee.

It just does not happen. When you do file a complaint, the Bar in a secret meeting usually rules that there is no ethical violation. See The Ethics panel Rule 1:20-3(f) that allows ethics panels to dismiss a complaint.

Lawyers regularly knowingly misstate information to courts and get away with it without any penalty! They knowingly omitting documents or make false statements to a court and should be prosecuted. Most judges, however, do not have the time to file charges and accept perjury and fraudulent omissions or submissions as part of a lawyers job. Many judges not only accept this type of behavior but encourage it and encourage lawyers to lie. This is a way to clear their dockets. Why would a judge want to have additional work?

Attorneys file charges against Judges as frequently as two blue moons appear in a month. It takes a very brave lawyer or one who is very well known to file this type of action. At this time alternative methods to review ethical violations is required. Now more than 15 years after the article, things have still not changed.

Several better alternatives exist for reviewing improper behavior. New Jersey should consider some of these alternative.

The governor or legislature can intervene and change the system.

Direct plebiscites, and referendums can sometimes change the way the courts function. Some alternatives are outlined in the letters that are attached.

The citizens of New Jersey deserve an honest legal system. This doesn't exist and lawyers and judges can now break the law at will.