In the justice system, trust is everything—trust in impartiality, trust in integrity, and trust in the people who are supposed to safeguard the law. But what happens when the very figures tasked with upholding that trust seem to be unraveling at the seams?
Take Pennsylvania’s Judge Christian Frey, who suddenly recused himself from a kidnapping case without explaining why. The defendant, Tyree Tyquan Moy, already facing a laundry list of charges, was left visibly frustrated. In the world of justice, transparency is key, yet here we are again, left wondering what drove a judge to step aside at such a critical moment. Moy’s case—where he allegedly kidnapped and robbed a woman at gunpoint—might be extreme, but it speaks to the greater need for a system we can trust.
Contrast this with Judge Dean Dankelson of Missouri, whose refusal to delay sentencing for a convicted child molester, Robert W. Shields, backfired spectacularly. Shields, who abused a child over a period of years, had his life sentence vacated, not because he was innocent, but because Dankelson denied him his right to adequate legal counsel. Shields’ own misconduct—fleeing the state after removing his monitoring device—pales in comparison to the procedural misstep that led to this appeal. Even the toughest cases need to be handled with care, but when the judge rushes through protocol, it’s the victims who are failed.
And then there’s Judge Ellen Berz in Wisconsin, who stands accused of misconduct for comments and actions that betray her judicial impartiality. Her warning to a defendant that “this court will not forget” sounds more like a vendetta than a pursuit of justice. Judges are supposed to embody fairness, not vengeance, and yet Berz’s remarks have sparked a misconduct complaint that now threatens her career.
Meanwhile, in York County, Judge Steven Stambaugh faces an indictment for wire fraud, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice. The very man elected to the bench, after a questionable campaign, now stands accused of defrauding the government and intimidating witnesses. Stambaugh’s alleged involvement in a scheme to pocket pandemic relief funds intended for his law firm employees is a betrayal of public trust that could land him in prison for decades.
Lastly, in Maine, Probate Judge William Blaisdell has been suspended for failing to pay taxes and child support. How can someone entrusted with managing estates and family law be so lax in managing his own obligations? Blaisdell’s suspension sends a clear message, but the court’s ability to maintain stability during his absence is uncertain.
In each of these cases, we see not just individuals who have lost their way, but a justice system that, in many ways, is losing ours. When judges forget their responsibility to the public, it’s not just their reputations on the line—it’s the very foundation of trust that holds our society together.
Disclaimer: The news on Abusive Discretion is from the public record. Editorials and opinions are light-hearted opinions about very serious topics not stated as statements of fact but rather satirical and opinion based on the information that is linked above.
