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Sleuth in OC 04/16/2011 12:31:00 AM
Why didn't any investigator obtain cell phone records for Demsey and Ramirez to confirm the claim that Demsey had called Ramirez for a ride? Seems like a simple enough task. Furthermore, wouldn't cameras at the bank's perimeter (and possibly across the street at other businesses, in addition to pedestrian witnesses and other bank customers) show if Demsey was dropped off by Ramirez or how she arrived at the bank. Where is the real defense investigation?
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Lisa B. Saunder 04/08/2010 11:51:00 PM
Scott J. Shaw PI is crooked he is currently facing an 7 disciplinary actions filed upon him from the Attorney General's Office. Scott Shaw is also a Speaker for the SCFIA. Scott has his own company called fincis he works for AAA auto insurance claim investigator, if you are a minority I would look into why your insurance claim may have been denied and see if scott shaw was the investigator.
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furman 04/08/2010 12:35:00 AM
Bradford wil give u whatever conclusion. Is szeles a paisa?
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MELISSA NIJJAR 04/07/2010 3:45:00 AM
I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF BY SAYING GOD BLESS MR. FORD FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO EXPOSE THIS UN JUSTICE,ALL MY LIFE I HAVE HEARD YOUR INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW ,WELL TIMES HAVE CHANGED YOU ARE GUILTY UNTIL YOU PROVE YOUR SELF INNOCENT AND IF YOU HAVE A PAST YOUR JUST GUILTY PERIOD.IF YOUVE DONE THING WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER AND YOU REGRET IT NOW SOCIETY LIVES IN YOUR PAST,EVERYDAY YOU ARE CHALLENGED TO BE GOOD ITS EASIER TO BE BAD BUT YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR WAYS BUT IF YOUR NOT PROTECTED BY THE LAWS OF OUR COUNTRY AND THEN WHO IS THE CRIMINAL THE PERSON WHO GETS FINACIAL GAIN BY BEING DISHONEST BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE HAD A CRIMINAL PAST.JAIL IS A SCARY PLACE AND IF YOU ARE THRETEN WITH IT YOU WILL TAKE ANYTHING TO STAY OUT OF IT AND THATS WERE BLACK MAIL COMES IN. THE TRUTH SHALL PREVAIL IN THESE CASES,THIS MR.SZELES HOW CAN YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT.
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Robert P. Dyer 04/06/2010 2:36:00 AM
I've known Cliff Ford for several years and know him to be a man of integrity and honor. While I don't understand all the workings of the court system, I do have confidence in Cliff and his opinions. If Cliff Ford says something I have no qualms about accepting it as being true. We need more people like Cliff working to right wrongs. Respectfully, Robert P. Dyer
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K. bandell 04/06/2010 1:20:00 AM
...as a means of redressing the corruption and the civil rights violations illuminated within "The Bad Detective," please note:
what: a public gathering
when: 0 April 2010
~1000 - ~1300
where: Plaza of the Flags adjacent to Superior Court for the County of Orange
700 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, California 92701
who: members of the public plus speakers
...more information: (714)776-6504...
...please through your presence become both part of and witness to change....
...in peace....
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04/01/2010 5:03:00 AM
Just one more e in his name and he could be re-arranged to Sleezes
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sharon 03/25/2010 8:00:00 AM
The justice system is so corrupt in Orange County it's crazy. And this Mr. Szeles he really need to pay for what he did whose to say he want do it again to someone else. There need to be more people like you who is willing to bring out the truth and help others.
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cindy 03/23/2010 11:59:00 PM
I cant believe this Szeles guy! And the judge he should be investigated too.. I am so happy that Mr. Ford has brought this to the attention of millions because it just goes to show how a lot of men and woman who are innocent and can prove it are just being silenced so that one selfish man can make hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is our so called "legal system". We need people in charge that actually care about helping out those in need!
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cindy 03/23/2010 11:51:00 PM
I cant believe this guy is getting away with this and the judge i mean he should be investigated too.. Im so glad that Mr. Ford has brought this to the attention of millions so that they can see how innocent men and woman are taken for a spin within the so called "legal system" of the United States...
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Sharonda 03/23/2010 11:24:00 PM
Corruption in any form of law enforcement is a complex phenomenon, which does not readily submit to simple analysis. It is a problem that has and will continue to affect us all, whether we are civilians or law enforcement officers. Since its beginnings, may aspects of policing have changed; however, one aspect that has remained relatively unchanged is the existence of corruption. An examination of a local newspaper or any police or law related publication on any given day will have an article about a police officer and or detective as mentioned above that got busted committing some kind of corrupt act. Now reading this article i am not surprised one bit at the corruption displayed by this so called "private detective". I can always appreciate someone who shines the light on this and there needs to be more articles that show that not all are like this for example, CJ Ford. Essentially, this type of corruption falls into the internal corruption category which involves the relationships among detectives within the works of the prosecutor. I agree with the statements that "Szeles needs to be investigated" but something more has to be done to stop this type of behavior in the future. This is just one small case of corruption. This is a textbook case of violating multiple parties rights and the least we can do is spread the word.
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03/19/2010 4:05:00 PM
This is another excellent article exposing the joke of "Just Us" (justice) in OC. It seems to be a "good ol boys" network stacked with all attorneys.
I will wait to see if this story continues, or is buried and forgotten.
It is a system where it seems there is one set of Laws for the wealthy that can afford private attorneys or another set of laws for the poor who have no other option than to accept a (lets make a deal) Public Defender. Then there is a whole other deal for a middle class working stiff, if you actually own something, as I understand, you are not afforded a PD.
I am sure, especially in these days of budget cuts the PD office has been hit hard also, piling more and more cases on already overburdened defenders.
A lot of the blame is in the voting system that allows these judges to go on and on. How many of us sit there and actually look up data about this judge or that judge being confirmed for this or that court division? How many of us even care... It doesn't effect me? Or does it? Perhaps they should make the judges compete for their positions, (That would open a whole new can of worms) Perhaps a judges (or potential judge)record should be publicly reviewed by someone that understands whats what...
I know I do not have the experience or time to research... when I get my Sample Ballot I google their names, and if I see something I like or dislike I vote accordingly. If I find nothing I refuse to vote, as an ignorant vote is worse than a bad vote.
It is nice to see the OC Weekly listing Judges names... That way we now have something to look at. OCW has a good search engine, enter a candidates name and something should pop up...
When there is a political information show, Perhaps it would be good to turn off American Idol and pay attention...
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Mary Jones 03/19/2010 2:32:00 PM
I am too familiar with the unethical conduct that is going on at the Santa Ana Superior Court, I often say it's the inmates fighting against the public defenders, and the prosecutors. To see this ad does not surprise me at all. I will remain vigilant in my efforts to bring awareness of this dark cloud of racial-prejudice that lies within Santa Ana Superior Court.
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Robert 03/18/2010 6:45:00 PM
If you think this is bad, check out the following Private Investigator, Scott Shaw, here:
http://www.scottshaw.info/
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03/18/2010 10:27:00 AM
This is incredible. But again, Orange County's government has a rich history of corruption. Its only redeeming quality may be that LA is worse (?).
After all, Kenneth Clair has spent over 20 years on death row and is a couple of years away from execution for the "crime" of being black, homeless and close to the murder of a white woman in Santa Ana. Detectives, court-appointed defender & investigator, prosecutor and judge produced a remarkable team effort to secure his capital conviction and make it appeal-proof.
One can only wonder what fundamental problem may be lying behind a systematic pattern of deliberate malevolence. Could a team of essential psychopaths be running OC's government, hiding behind a so-called Cleckley mask of sanity? Maybe it is time for high-ranking OC officials to submit to thorough and impartial psychological evaluations and to have their results published.
Love,
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zoey 03/17/2010 4:13:00 AM
It seems as if this person still had the bad cop mentality, he seems to want to put people in jail instead of doing his appointed tasks.. It seems fair to say that all the cases that he has worked on in the last 10 years, should be reviewed. They should get a re-trial if they want one, he should be fired from oc courts, like he was from law enforcement. The next time they hire someone to do a job maybe they chould do some background work first. This isn't fair to inmates or their families, if the person is entitled to a fair trial then it should be just that!
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B. Jenkins 03/17/2010 12:27:00 AM
I totally enjoyed the article "THE BAD DETECTIVE." I wasn't surprised at the number of Pro Pers welcomed a change of heart, seeking professional help from Mr. C.J. Ford Jr. His services has been outstanding from day one. Too bad he's at such a disadvantage working with the Orange county Court System. Thank you Nick Schou, for shinning the spotlight on Orange County's dirty little secret.
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Cori 03/16/2010 10:47:00 PM
I myself have been waiting for someone to catch up with this liar I watched him do my brothers case and he was so unprofessional and uncaring in such an unfair circumstance and never once got ahold of one witness or spoke to anyone in his defense. All I can say is how does it feel to have all your stuff put out there for the world to see and how does it feel not to be able to defend yourself
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Gods Gurl 03/16/2010 10:04:00 PM
You know whats so scary about this is you never know who your messin with when you do something like this and in our case my son is a child of God and he is our vindicator and I myself have been praying for this time for you Joe Szeles to be vindicated because the fact that you did absolutely nothing for my son and then infact get paid by Orange County for it is very sad!!!!!!!!
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sambassman 03/16/2010 7:59:00 AM
This article appears to be just the beginning of uncovering many problems with the OC justice system. It's heartening to know that there is someone out there who is up to the challenge of shedding the light of truth on these issues. The price of democracy is constant vigilance, and right now C.J. Ford, Jr. is paying that price for the rest of us and we should all be thankful there are people like him out there, because when a justice system is corrupt, no one is safe.
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K. Bandell 03/16/2010 7:19:00 AM
...with apologies because what follows is redundant of what other comments have identified as both the frightening and as sad is the contention that within the County of Orange, what was by C. J. Ford, Junior discovered and what was by N. Schou reported are stories relating to pro per defendants which are emblematic of corruption which has contaminated not only deliberations by Judge Goethals and shenanigans by J. Szeles but which like veins injected with prosecutorial venom course within the County of Orange through its police departments, through its sheriff department and through various levels of the judiciary....the issue is not whether within the identified systems are employed a cluster of conscientious and of ethical players but rather that within the identified systems are officially tolerated professional behaviours which make mockeries of standards of conduct based on the notion of equal justice under the law....what has happened to those individuals whose pro per experiences have established a foundation for public dismay represents the tip of a proverbial iceberg inclusive of documented instances, for example, of evidence planting, of evidence tampering and of evidence loss....
...let us, therefore hope that outrage will not only be behaviourly translated into action but also that well compensated investigatory efforts of individuals like C. J. Ford, Junior liaised with well compensated investigatory journalism by reporters like N. Schou will begin to convert justice within the O. C. from overtly collied to overtly competent....it can be done....
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Steven Barber 03/16/2010 7:10:00 AM
Great article. Please follow up -- this shouldn't be buried. This is the sort of thing lost to mainstream media, and the sort of thing that makes the Weekly a better place to check out for what happens beyond what the Register and Times will tell us.
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A. Cyrus 03/16/2010 6:04:00 AM
I believe it's a shame what the judicial systems gets away with, "innocent until proven guilty", seems to be the other way around.. There is somthing that needs to be done about all the corrupt Judges, Attorneys, AND PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSE TO BE WORKING FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC, THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE LIKE C.J. FORD AND HIS TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Teresa 03/16/2010 4:38:00 AM
I met Mr. Ford and his office staff back in Spring of 2008. I can honestly say that his office and him are truly dedicated to their job. They are very loyal and have much integrity in every single case they work on. Obviously Mr. Ford and his work is truly helping many inmates that is why they keep spreading the word around of him. Mr. Ford race should have nothing to do with his dedicated work and commitment to helping others. On the other hand Mr. Szeles should be investigated and put to trial as well for taking advantage of all these unfortunate people who looked for him for help.
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Lisann 03/16/2010 3:25:00 AM
Annie, I think you did not read the whole article. You should read it completely then apologize to Mr Schou. The Bad Detective is Mr. Szeles not CJ Ford.
When you said that CJ was respectful and after the truth, I realized that you did not read the whole article and I myself have been guilty of that. But, it is okay when you recognize your mistake and apologize.
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Tina J. 03/16/2010 3:15:00 AM
This comment is geared towards 'Annie.' Annie, with know disrespect intended, but you have never worked with or for CJ Ford, and I do know this because I have worked with and for CJ Ford for a couple of years now, and there is no Annie that has worked with or for CJ Ford. So, to misrepresent yourself is nothing short of fraud. Let me make another thing very clear, Nick Schou used the Investigative Report put out by Mister Ford as a jumping off spot for his article, and then he further investigated on his own. This investigative report is available in full on CJ's website. This investigation on Mister Ford's part took over a year to do, and is ongoing, Mister Schou's investigation has been almost 6 months in the making. All facts can and will stand up in court. As for Mister Szeles, I have observed him in court, and at the jail, and I can personally testify to his actions since he feels free to talk about his clients to anyone that will listen. I have also been in court when Judge Goethals, Judge Prickett, and Judge Connelly when they made rulings against the inmates to replace their investigator, I have seen these judges in action, so I have seen what happens in court. While you are making these sweeping and inaccurate statements against Nick Schou, you need to check your facts, and stop making inaccurate statements yourself. I further demand that the federal and state authorities, and the ACLU to step in and guard the most fundamental rights of everyone, under the 6th and 14th Constitutional Amendments! As a matter of fact, the only facts that Mister Schou got wrong, or did not put in his article, was the fact that Jose Ramirez's court date is actually March 18th in court #C5 in Santa Ana, not the 15th, and the Motion that Szeles used to compare against the bank note was not even Jose's writing, it was the writing of another inmate that was already in custody at the time of the attempted robbery. These are the only facts that were missing or wrong in that story. So, when you comment please get it right, and do not over state your case.
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Kerrie 03/15/2010 9:30:00 AM
Given that the United States prides itself on being a "free market" economy, it's surprising to see what appears to be such an overt example of a government-granted (i.e. coercive) monopoly operating. Notwithstanding that, I admire Mr Ford for standing up and taking on the Orange County justice system. It's easy to sit here and say "well, I'm not a criminal so why should this affect me"? Think again - imagine if you were wrongfully accused of/arrested for a crime...wouldn't you want someone to advocate on your behalf? It could easily happen to any of us. If you think I'm wrong then just look at the work the Innocence Project undertakes. One of the hallmarks of a civilised society is an effective criminal justice system. Guilty or not, everyone is entitled to justice without prejudice, the presumption of innocence and a fair trial. This justice should occur regardless of ones ability to pay - so if you cannot afford it then the government, as part of upholding a fair and equal justice system, should ensure that you have adequate resources at your disposal to fight the might of the State and their charges against you. I don't see how restricting pro per defendants' rights to have adequate investigation of their cases amounts to a fair, just and equitable system. I also don't see how allowing what I perceive to be bias and conflicts of interest to prevail can benefit Orange County citizens either. "Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." (Robert F Kennedy). Good luck Mr Ford, we need more people like you who are willing to stand up for what is right and to take the brave and courageous step of taking on those who would deny ordinary citizens their rights.
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Annie 03/15/2010 9:19:00 AM
I have personally worked with C.J. Ford on cases in Orange County. He has been nothing be respectful, professional, and after truth. Everyone is entitled to a fair trial and an appeal. I am appalled by the lack of thorough research this writer did when writing this article or perhaps his personal biases he allowed to cloud his judgment when writing this article.
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Regan 03/15/2010 8:37:00 AM
It's amazing to think that all this corruption is a reality when its most commonly seen in movies and in books. I'M very appreciative that this issue is being spotlighted because that is a big step towrds getting things fixed.
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Al 03/15/2010 8:15:00 AM
Wow, Mr. Szeles has an orange jump suite waiten for him. I hope justice is served, so that those who were wronged by this fraud can rest easy. Thank you Mr. Ford for all your hard work and dedication to your craft. There needs to be more people out there willing to give a voice for those who's voices are lost behind bars.
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REF 03/15/2010 4:18:00 AM
You know it's bad enough that the wrongfully accused are in jail in the first place, but when you lock em up and get people like this Szeles guy to keep em locked up that's messed. More than that, why the hell was Szeles made an investigator after beating the crap out of his stepdaughter? Forget taking away his job, put that garbage in jail and let his stepdaughter take a few swings before they slam the cell doors shut. Corrupt investigators, corrupt judges; how are people getting justice? Man, I'd lose faith altogether in the system if it weren't for people actually doing what they're supposed to like CJ. I just pray that if I ever get framed or if I'm in the wrong place wrong time that I'm in LA when it happens cuz shot or not I'll at least get a better chance to get out of jail there than here. OC's system needs to change if this stuff is happening.
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Beatriz Salas 03/15/2010 2:33:00 AM
My name is Beatriz Salas
I meet Mr. C. J. Ford Private Investigator on July 2008, Mr. Ford comment that in the African American community there were many complaints of the judicial system in the county of Orange, I mention to him that in the Latin communities in Orange County, many people were scared of what is been happening, agents of the police along with agents of emigration after midnight interrupts violently in the houses arresting all their occupants and take them prisoners to the Santa Ana jail to get investigated if they are legal or no, terrified children see how their parents, and grand parents been arrested in own beds, the police says they are looking for gang members and criminal and end up arresting innocents people suspects of been undocumented. I seen that Orange County has the most conservative people live in, and in political power too, and we have some extremist Nazis too.
the Right are terms used to describe support for preserving traditional or cultural values and customs and maintaining some form of social hierarchy.[1][2][3] The phrase right-wing was coined during the French Revolution, when right-wing referred to seating arrangements in parliament; those who sat on the right supported the monarchy, the aristocracy and the established church. The concept of a distinct political Right developed after the second restoration of the French monarchy in 1815 with the Ultra-royalists. Today the term the Right is primarily used to refer to political groups that have a historical connection with the traditional Right, including: conservatives, reactionaries, monarchists, aristocrats, religious fundamentalists, and nationalists. But in modern times, the Right has also encompassed views supporting capitalism and free markets
“The Nazi ideology stressed the failure of laissez-faire capitalism, the failure of democracy, and "racial purity of the German people", as well as Northwestern Europeans and persecuted those it perceived either as race enemies or “Lebensunwertes Leben (Life Unworthy of Life)”, This included Jews, Slavs, and Roma along with homosexuals, the mentally and physically disabled, Communists and others. To carry out these beliefs, the party and the German state which it controlled organized the systematic murder of approximately six million Jews and six million other people from the aforementioned and other groups, in what has become known as the Holocaust. Hitler's desire to build a Germanic empire through expansionist policies led to the outbreak of World War II in Europe. The Nazi Party is generally described as being at the extreme or far right of the left-right political axis.[6] While the party incorporated elements from both left and right-wing politics, the Nazis formed most of their alliances on the right”.
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Mr. Andrews 03/14/2010 11:41:00 PM
I think that this type of Criminal and Unprofessional behavior on the part of Mr. Szeles is a travesty to those he is supposed to "Help" and a Black mark on the Investigations Field and those in it, and the Judicial system he is to be upholding. Granted there are those individuls that need to go to Jail/Prison although that is exactly why we have a process to see that it is executed properly, professionally, and within the scope of a system, that yes.. is abit flawed, but works most of the time. Mr. C.J. Ford Jr. has done a great Justice to those individuals that were not only blackmailed and "duped" by Mr. Szeles but the Private Investigations field as a whole and to those in it that are not only dedicated to their profession but to those they Assist and Help the proper and professional way.
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JAMIE CLARK 03/14/2010 11:21:00 PM
THERE IS SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME AND PROSCUTORS JUST DONT CARE WHO REALLY DID IT THEY JUST WANT A CONVICTION. CJ FORD INVESTIGATOR'S WORK HARD TO HELP THE INNOCENT WE NEED MORE LIKE THEM.
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OC Counselor 03/14/2010 8:24:00 PM
It is important that people like CJ Ford are out there doing this kind of investigative work to protect the rights of others. Having the ability to uncover this kind of injustice and the ethical backbone to act to correct it, makes investigators like Mr. Ford a vital part of the checks and balances of our judicial system.
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Bonnie Citizen 03/14/2010 6:29:00 PM
I lived in southern California in the early 70's when my husband was serving in the military. Recently, I've spent a great deal of time in Orange County where my youngest son moved several years ago, and my older son is stationed in the Marine Corps. I comment on the above to declare myself a non-resident by choice. I would never live in Orange County as I believe that it is the most racist, closed-minded, and corrupt county. CJ Ford and his associates, as well as, the reporter Nick Schou deserve the highest praise for calling out this apparent corruption.
It is pathetic to see the apathy and collusion that exists in the judicial system in Orange County. "Innocent until proven guilty" seems to be a foreign concept. If you are arrested, you are guilty and if the police officers need to lie to secure a conviction, so be it. Too bad if the public defenders are overworked and plead cases that should be heard by a jury of their peers because the defendants are in fear that the absurd proposed sentence exposure is so significant.
By the way, presumed innocence is hard to come by in a community of closed-minded, self-serving individuals. When a trial judge refuses to investigate allegations relevant to so many incarcerated it is symptomatic of deeper collusion. Truth and justice will serve the individual, which will in turn serve the community. Neither truth nor justice can be served when events as described in Nick Schou's article are not called into the light and examined. I encourage that "right action" prevails and this serves as a wake-up call for those perpetuating a "police state" in Orange County.
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Ellis Williams 03/14/2010 11:55:00 AM
Something has to be done , I have been in Orange County and the system is wrong People like Szeles is one of the reasons i have been in prison for the pass 7 years . For something I know I did not do, Counsel that doesnt care about you at all. Just want the money from the state . Not doin the work poor investigation. We need people that care for the ones that are behind the walls unjustly and poor respentation on major cases and are waiting for appeals to come back down . We Need Good People not Good ole Boys!
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Lynn Brown 03/14/2010 11:45:00 AM
This is really disgraceful, people get in places,take advanctage and have some power and abuse it. There really should be some kind of punishment or something done to be Officers, that are networking for wrong and have there own finda legal agendas that are not for the common people that are truly fighting for there lifes. We must let agency know whats going on and network for the Good of the inmate and people behind the prison wall that need some assistance to be freed that are falsely acussed. Orange County have to be accountable now is the time to get the wrong people out of places the Hurt !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Phil Osborn 03/14/2010 1:38:00 AM
This sounds par for the course. I was arrested twice about 30 years ago in connection with political protests in which I was involved.
I tried to defend myself and the Long Beach DA's response was to pile on additional equally bogus charges. When I finally gave up and hired an attorney, I overheard him in the judge's chambers bargaining with the judge over which cases were going to be dismissed, the judge saying "Well, I can't GIVE YOU Osborn."
Later, after the prosecution's only alleged witness completely recanted her coached testimony and refused to budge, even while threatened with losing her kids, the case was dismissed, with the judge's hand-written notation on the judgement, "Defendant exonerated." It only cost me about $50 grand, minimum.
Here's my current blog on police brutality:
http://philosborn.joeuser.com/article/372066/Police_Brutality
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Jay 03/14/2010 12:08:00 AM
Thank you Mr. Ford for doing the work you do. We need more people like you and your staff. As a former resident of the oc i have seen this way too many times and no action is taken, so for you and your staff to take this work into your own hands really lets me know that there are some people out there who are willing and arent stuck in that oc bubble.
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C. J. Ford Jr. 03/13/2010 5:12:00 PM
First of all I want to thank everyone that weighed in on this article and will be. I want to give extreme praises to Nick Schou of the Orange County Weekly for his hard work and journalistic and investigative skill that went into this story. Without Mr. Schou’s unique skills and determination this story might have never been bought to the public.
I like to personally thank my staff lead by the efforts of Tina Jackson who carried out painstaking task of communication, supporting, filing documentation, and assisting in the planning of pro per activities.
I can assure everyone that this is not over. Judge Goethals is not getting out of this without resigning from the Alternate Defense Services Steering committee and giving up his position as auxiliary services in C5. I personally will not rest if Judge Goethals is in anyway in charge of, or connected to pro per or indigent defense services.
This is the next step of actions that I am planning. As of this posting in the Orange County Weekly, I am giving the Orange County Superior Court until March 23, 2010 by the end of the day, to remove Judge Goethals from this position with the court. He is too biased to deal with Pro Per and auxiliary services.
Secondly, on the same date I am giving Robert Matherly and Alternate Defense Services the ultimatum of posting a list of investigator and experts- complete with contact information- that the public can see and will be assessable to defendants that request these services. I will personally be contacting CALI and PICA the largest private investigative organizations in this area and asking qualified investigators to file applications with the Alternate Defense Services so that defendants can interview and select who they want to work in their behalf. Hopefully this information can be posted on the internet by that time. There may be a slight delay of the investigators first visit due to the clearance with the Orange County Sheriff departments but the list still needs to be posted
Thirdly, I am requesting that Joseph Szeles’s case load be distributed to investigators that are on the list after the Pro Per defendants have had the opportunity to contact these investigators and make a selection. This way if the court or Alternate Defense Services makes a decision to retain Joseph Szeles on the list he will not be given any special consideration by the court to be assigned or retained on cases.
If these conditions are not met by the deadline date, the following will occur. As to Judge Goethals. I will be taking each complaint from the public and the defendants to the Commission On Judicial Performance and demand them, by complaint, to have Judge Goethals or any of the other Judges that have sided with Goethals to either resign or make a public apology for their actions. This is clearly defined under their (CJP) charter. (See http://cjp.ca.gov/). If the Commission does not take this situation seriously as they have failed to have done in the past, we will have a demonstration at Orange County Superior Court in the very near future. If we have to have this rally we will be petitioning for “Impeachment” Proceedings. This is a very little used procedure, but this will be the only alternative if the Commission continues to back Judge Goethals activities.
I will keep everyone posted on “Twitter” which can be followed at the bottom of my home page at www.cjfordpi.com of all status of this situation and everyone is welcome to e-mail me at: OCExposed@cjfordpi.net for more personal conversation.
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Eliz 03/13/2010 11:40:00 AM
That is a great report, I laud the reporter for his forth-rightness in the presentation and the obvious leg work involved. May this revelation bring truth to the light and produce true justice for all people irregardless of whether we think they deserve it or not.
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Shakur 03/13/2010 11:06:00 AM
People continue to put blind faith into the justice system without ever taking a clear look at those people who work behind the scene.
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Josefina 03/13/2010 8:28:00 AM
This is for Joseph Szeles: You give honest investigators a bad name. Just like you slapped your 15 year-old step-daughter, this will be returned to you. My favorite cliché, “What goes around comes around.”
What else is judge Thomas Goethals hiding? It appears that he is protecting Szeles. Furthermore, common sense tells me that there is no way someone like Szeles neither any one person can take on 98 cases alone. Other people are involved. It is up to us to make sure who ever else is involved to stop them from further corrupting our justice system.
As for Jose Roberto Ramirez: Take responsibility. You hung out with the wrong friend at the wrong time. Your so called “friend,” Mary Dempsey, got you in trouble. Not only did Dempsey betray your trust but also the investigator that handled your case and the judges who allowed this to happen.
It is only obvious that DA spokeswomen Susan Kang Schroeder will deny and ignore any crime committed by Szeles. Let’s not leave it up to Goethals to investigate Szeles because he is not going to do anything about this matter.
C.J. Ford did the right thing in bringing this case to the attention of the courts, investigators, to the county of Orange and most importantly to the public.
WE NEED ETHICAL PEOPLE TO WORK IN OUR SYSTEM!!!
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OC Chick 03/13/2010 6:07:00 AM
I really think that this is an article that everyone needs to see. This isn't a subject that you see in the news or anything. To me this subject seems to be ignored way too often and now it os time to bring light to this subject and make people aware that this is going on!
Thanks for writing this and hope people really get the message[=
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John 03/13/2010 5:58:00 AM
This article really makes me question our court systems. I know this is OC, but it could happen anywhere and the fact that it could really makes me skeptical on what's gong on behind the scenes.
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BG 03/13/2010 5:47:00 AM
AMEN!I'm glad someone has finally shined some light on this subject, it's been overseen for way too long.
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Anonymous 03/13/2010 5:46:00 AM
It doesn't shock me that OC Courts wouldn't do anything about Szeles. They need to step up and take action. Obviously, with that many complains from that many inmates, something is wrong. OC really needs to get their act together, there are many people sitting in jail/prison right now for the DUMBEST reasons and we are all paying for it. They need to break out of their perfect little luxury land and come to realize that one little mistake, like being in the wrong place at the wrong time shouldn't result in a harsh sentence. Tina is right, no one is ever willing to step up until it's for one of their own or unfortunately until it's too late! For many, this all happens in a blink of an eye, OC needs to take action NOW, too many innocent people are suffering and it's not right.
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Frank Mitchell, III. 03/13/2010 4:15:00 AM
Great story! People need to know more of these stories. They help to counteract true stories, such as the recent senseless depraved killings of two teenage girls in northern San Diego county by a child preditor let out of prison, and negligently supervised by parole staff. (It counteracts these stories by showing that INNOCENT PEOPLE are also sent to prison do to government and judicial negligence and corruption---of which are just two of many reasons. Emotional non-thinking people tend to vote for poorly-thught-out responses to actual violent criminals---and innocent people always get hurt as well.
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OC Shenanigans 03/13/2010 1:43:00 AM
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Nick, I'm sure you got an ear full talking to the pro-per inmates. I'm hoping you bring to light more of what goes on in their lives while they are being housed by the OCSD.
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Joel Boyd 03/13/2010 1:20:00 AM
I lived in Orange County for many years before moving up morth, and I had prayed that the 'good ole boys' network that existed down there would have come into the modern era and been disbursed, but after reading this story, I can see I was wrong. When will these people wake and see until we are all treated fairly and with respect, then we are all losing.
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Zac Pettus 03/13/2010 1:14:00 AM
This whole story deeply distribes me. In the 21st century we still have people in positions of power that are openly denying people their mose fundamental rights to a fair trial. We have government entities that are sitting on the sidelines watching this happen, but doing nothing. God help this country and this state in particular because we are in trouble. I will being praying for everyone involved.
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Anthony Chattman 03/13/2010 1:09:00 AM
I cannot believe that this has been allowed to go on for so long! Someone needs to step up and step in. Where is the federal and state government in all this? Why is our tax money being used to pay for this? Where is the ACLU, their suppose to be the one's stepping in to guard everyone's rights, where are they?
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Christian B. Martinez 03/13/2010 12:03:00 AM
A ridiculous use of discretion and power...at the cost of individuals betrayed by the very system that is expected to protect and uphold their rights. It just shocks the conscience.
CBM
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Mina Swanson 03/12/2010 10:03:00 PM
This story is unbelievable! Szeles has no business being an investigator. They should be thanking Mr. Ford for exposing his true character. He needs to be stopped! It's because of people like him (and the judge) that cause major flaws in our judicial system! I really hope this dirt bag loses his license! How could this be happening?????
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Lisann Martinez 03/12/2010 5:20:00 AM
That Szeles should be investigated by the state attorney general, for extortion. God was sure smiling over Ramirez when Szeles left those certified handwriting analysis with him. Goes to show you how unorganized Szeles must be. How many other cases and people has this happened too. When will the system wake up to the fact, that justice is literally blind to the injustice that is being doled out to these pro per inmates. Everyone has the right to call witnesses, everyone has the right to present any evidence to prove their innocence. That is what the Judge is there for to make sure that justice is served, and not prejudiced in any way.
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Tina Jackson 03/12/2010 4:50:00 AM
Something should be done to people that abuse their power, and charge the citizens for it! The ACLU, and the Federal Government needs to step in and break up this 'Good Ole Boys' network in the OC Court System. Everyone is entitled to a fair trial, and these people are being denied a fundamental right of everyone that enters our legal system. People never want to get involved until it is their loved one's or themselves involved, but we need to do something now, and stop standing on the sidelines and watching it happen! Everybody thinks it will never happen to them, but you never know. Wake Up Orange County, and Come Out Of The Bubble!!!
