Category: Judges

A public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law

Listen to the Victims: Senate Holds Hearing on Guardianship By Marian Kornicki

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Listen to the Victims Senate Holds Hearing on Guardianship By Marion Kornicki

On March 30, 2023, the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing, “Guardianship and its Alternatives: Protection and Empowerment.” Importantly, this hearing featured one victim witness, Dr. Tina Paone, who spoke about her family’s traumatic, unresolved guardianship nightmare. Her testimony resonated for the many victims that listened to her, as we know too well that guardianship cases are never resolved when there is an estate with money. As she said, “On paper, the current system appears well-intentioned. That’s not how it plays out. On behalf of my family, and so many others, I beg you to please implement meaningful reform.” At this same hearing, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) proposed a bill titled the Guardianship Bill of Rights Act, which would create a national council charged with promoting less restrictive arrangements for people living under, or being considered for, court-ordered guardianship—thereby leading to fewer guardianships. As I described in “Guardianship Destroyed My Family,” published last year on Mad in America, I have seen in my own life the damage and exploitation that can be wreaked by court-appointed guardians. In an effort to advocate and enact change, I belong to Victims and Families Harmed by Guardianship, a national human rights coalition that functions as a consortium of state coalitions on the quest for reform. This is critical work. Most victims cannot report the exploitation they are experiencing because they are silenced by gag orders, chemical restraint, or threats of retaliation. So, it is up to us—those of us who can speak out—to use our voices for those who cannot. Hopefully, we will be heard. Some background: Britney Spears is not alone For many people, the considerable harms of guardianship only came to the fore with the story of Britney Spears, whose… Read More

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Corrupt Judge Kathryn Doi Todd

Corrupt Judge Kathryn Doi Todd #47691 Admitted Los Angeles January 1971 Kathryn Doi Todd was a judge on the Second District, Division Two of the California Courts of Appeal. She was appointed to this position by former Governor Davis on August 1, 2000. She was retained by the November 5, 2002 and the January 6, 2003 elections. Todd retired from the court on January 22, 2013 after 35 years in judicial service. When she was appointed to the Los Angeles Municipal Court in 1978, she was the first Asian-American female judge in the country. Education Justice Todd graduated with a history degree from Stanford University in 1963 and went on to graduate from Loyola Law School in 1970. Career Justice Todd began her legal career with a general civil practice in Los Angeles. She was appointed to the Los Angeles Municipal Court by former Governor Brown in 1978. In 1981, she was appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court. In 1978, Governor Jerry Brown appointed her to the Los Angeles County Municipal Court, making her the first female Asian American judge in the United States. In 1981, Brown elevated Todd to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, a position she would hold until when Brown’s former chief of staff, Governor Gray Davis, appointed her to the California Second District Court of Appeal, Division Two as of August 18, 2000. Doi retired from the bench in January 2013. Preceded by John Zebrowski Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Second District, Division Two 2000–2013 Kathryn Doi Todd Retires From Court of Appeal January 23, 2013 Justice Kathryn Doi Todd of this district’s Court of Appeal, Div. Two retired yesterday after 35 years in judicial office, including more than 12 years… Read More

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