In what seems to be a growing trend, a Solano County Family Court judge was served Thursday with a notice of intent to circulate a recall petition.
Friday’s action to recall Judge Cynda Riggins-Unger marked the fifth time in five years that advocates have attempted to recall a Solano County Family Court judge, according to the Protective Mothers of Solano County — a committee currently working to recall several Solano County Family Court judges.
Court Executive Officer Brian K. Taylor was unable to be reached Friday before press time. Judge Unger was also unable to be contacted for comment.
Unger was last served a similar notice of recall in 2014, according to the group. An effort to recall Fellow Family Court Judge Christine Carringer recently failed, as the group working the cause didn’t gather enough signatures.
Last year, Family Court Judge Garry Ichikawa was served a notice of intent to circulate a recall petition; he announced his plans to retire shortly after.
“The biggest problem has been judges excluding credible evidence of abuse and placing children with documented abusers,” said Jaclyn Qirreh, an advocate with the Protective Mothers of Solano County.
According to Qirreh, the current system leaves little options for individuals displeased with a judge’s orders and the facts and evidence in a case.
“The presiding judge can’t do anything,” explained Qirreh. “The District Attorney can’t, The Court of Appeals can’t reassess the facts and evidence. The Attorney General typically isn’t going to do anything about a family law case, and the Commission on Judicial Performance will not do anything about a judge’s orders.”
Qirreh, who has been working tirelessly on recall efforts for several Solano County Family Court Judges, believes there is no solution for misconduct from judges in Solano County.
“What we’re trying to show here is there is a pattern in Solano County of children being placed with known abusers and the judges discrediting legitimate abuse claims,” she said. “We’re not against judges. We have great respect for the judicial process. But litigants, attorneys and even judicial officers have become accustomed to not having anyone hold them accountable.”
Acknowledging that efforts for recalls are often futile endeavors, Qirreh says the committee is determined to continue to fight no matter the odds.
“We’re asking to be heard,” she revealed. “We want Solano County to address this issue once and for all.
Full article here: http://www.thereporter.com/general-news/20180223/family-court-judge-served-notice-of-intent-to-circulate-recall-petition