Judicial poll

June 27, 2008. The Florida Bar Association released a poll ranking the county and circuit judges of the 8th Judicial Circuit. Local attorneys were asked a series of questions pertaining the approval/disapproval of the above judges. The website is 8jcba.org.

As predicted, Judge Stanley H. Griffis III finished with the absolute worst approval ranking of any of the other judges. Almost half of the attorneys polled did not approve of Judge Griffis' legal acumen, communication skills, or professionalism. The most glaring disapproval rating referred to Judge Griffis' ability to conduct himself impartially.

Please take the time to review Judge Griffis' score sheet and then compare it to all of the other more competent judges. Even his colleagues believe he demonstrates unprofessional and biased behavior.

Judge Stanley H. Griffis: Problems with Stan Griffis

Judge Stanley H. Griffis: Problems with Stan Griffis

Problems with Stan Griffis

I have been a resident of Gainesville, Florida for five years now. I love this town and have been happy living here.

I been going through a divorce for two years now and for the past year and a half Judge Griffis has sat smugly on the bench. It is obvious by his actions, he dislikes women. I don't understand this because he is married with three daughters. Being one sided is fine, but when it so blatant no matter what the situation is, it is sick.

The court should be unbiased. He is not. The court should rule fairly. He does not. Due process, I don't think he understands the definition. He has allowed woman and children to be left with uncertainty as to where they will live, survive, and what will be left in the end. He is afraid to make a decision for fear he might upset the one he supports.

He is arrogant, inmature, unqualified and will not recuse himself when he knows full well that he is in over his head.

Some of the things in have gone through are: Actually I make this easy, here is a letter
I have sent to the Judicial Qualifications Committee, JQC: Mind you I have complained twice to them although they don't think these are valid reasons. I know the more they hear his name the more they may start to think twice about this judge. So don't hesitate to send a complaint. I have also sent this letter to Judge Smith, 8th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge, he also doesn't seem to feel he should do anything.



Case Number 01-2006-DR-003145

March 18th, 2008

Judge Frederick Smith,

I am hereby putting you on notice that you have knowledge of the below behavior of Judge Stan Griffis. It is my intent and right to include you in future litigation as a result of your inability to sufficiently and competently direct, supervise, Judges in your charge.

After Judge Griffis forced the case to trial on October 22nd, 2007 and his last words were “I think I have a good idea where this case is going” following the week long trial; here it is March 18th, 2008, almost five (5) months later, and NOTHING has been decided. In the meantime, my house is being foreclosed, my personal property destroyed, insurances lapsed and worst of all the children, four of them ages 7-17, are living in a dysfunctional environment. Are we talking about qualification or ethical violations yet?

Is the fact there is a custody battle and Judge Griffis would not allow for a custody evaluation not just once but numerous time because “it would take to long”, during the first rush to trial which was going to take place in June. Fortunately, the Appellate Court intervened at this stage to review Judge Griffis’ Behavior. When we asked again for the upcoming trial in October Judge Griffis again denied an evaluation as well as an Attorney Ad Litem. Yet we sit and wait five (5) months later for him to make his ruling. When has a custody issue/dispute and evaluation ever been ignored due to a time constraints set by a Judge, who has full power to change the hearing date, AND ignore the well being of the children, NOT A QUESTION OF QUALIFICATIONS OR ETHICS!!?

Is the fact that Judge Griffis allowed my husband to sell my truck out from under me, our boat, golf cart, torment me and destroy my personal property, and while Judge Griffis, found him in criminal contempt for his some of these behaviors, there was no consequences for any of his actions. As a result of Judge Griffis’ failure to act, my husband continues this type of behavior. Is this not a question of qualifications or ethics?

Is the fact that Judge Griffis threw out two (2) restraining orders against my husband after he assaulted me and one of my children, not a question of qualifications or ethics? And from my understanding Judge Griffis has been removed and is no longer allowed to hear Domestic Violence cases because of his egregious and outrageous decisions. THIS IS AFTER ONLY ONE YEAR! The third I chose not to try for because I knew it would be a waist of time. Fortunately, the state attorney did not see it as Judge Griffis did and filed charges against Peter, and placed him on probation for a year.

Is it the fact that Judge Griffis has changed my temporary order for support without even reviewing my husbands financial situation, but stand in his chambers and think for about two minutes and change my support from $18,000 a month, originally ordered by Judge Mosely, to $2500 a month, a difference of $15,500, because my husband said” I have no money”. With only that being Judge Griffis’ basis for his decision, not a question of qualifications or ethics?

Is the fact that Judge Griffis has allowed my husband to pay his lawyers in full but will not order my husband to pay my lawyers or forensic account, not a question of qualifications or ethics?

Is the fact that Judge Griffis hastily ordered this case to trial without first allowing me any review of my husband’s financial activities and the resources to do so, not a question of qualifications or ethics?

Is the fact that Judge Griffis allows my husband to drive our children around with a suspended license and to openly smoke cannabis in our house (all admitted to in court), not a question of qualifications or ethics?

Is the fact that I filed a Writ of Prohibition against Judge Griffis because of his offensive mocking behavior towards me openly in hearings, not a question of qualifications or ethics?

Is the fact that we asked Judge Griffis numerous times to recuse himself and him denying our motions without any explanation, not a question of qualifications or ethics?

Is the fact that Judge Griffis ordered me and my husband to “share” a home in which we rotate in and out of the house every other week an illustration of his perversion. Have you ever heard of such a thing? This has been happening for 15 months. When it started, Judge Griffis actually allowed my husband to be in the house during my week. The children are absolutely dysfunctional and confused. Despite outlining physical and mental abuses that the children have been exposed to, Judge Griffis continues to frolic in this manner.

The primary residence that has been destroyed by Judge Griffis is now in foreclosure. The family vehicle has been repossessed. Judge Griffis and Judge Mosely ordered my husband to continue paying these bills. Knowing that there are NO consequences for being in contempt in Judge Griffis’ court, my husband has continued to violate every Order put forth.

The latest antics have come to me filing two motions, in the last month, in which Judge Griffis would not allow his assistant set a hearing date for the first one. And for the Emergency Motion filed a week later he scheduled a status conference, to find out were the parties are at. So we could go in and say there is an emergency and OK let’s set a hearing. A huge waste of time and money. Why not set it when the motion was file. Or better yet, how about a status conference to find out where Judge Griffis is at. Why leave me and our children waiting to find out if we will ever have a vehicle or a home again.

Is there a time limit on making a decision on a case? Will I have a decision before 2009. Is there protocol? Or is he at liberty to continue abusing his power as a Judge and our family.

Is the fact that this is only a few examples of what I have endured over the last 16 months not a question of qualifications as a judge and ethics as a judge? Do qualifications or ethics not come into question in any of these behaviors I have illustrated?

The 8th Judicial Circuit should be embarrassed by this kind of behavior and you should be embarrassed for allowing all this to happen. You’ve known about this case and you’ve talked with other people about this case. Do you have any children? Is Judge Griffins being paid off by my husband? Is he corrupt? Or is he just an inept, immature, incompetent, unskilled Judge who is afraid to make a decision?


Frustrated,

Christine Schaller Dautel

cc:
Judicial Qualifications Committee
Florida Bar
Gainesville Sun
Stan Griffis

Between March and June there has been other things that would shock you and Judge Griffis just shrugged his shoulders and did nothing.

Mind you since this letter was sent I have finally received his final decision, eight months later. I have not been awarded attorneys fees, lost my house, car, he has allowed my x-husband to decide how things will be split and basically apologised to my X for his troubles.

Regrettably my only recourse is to file an appeal. I am also making my case public to show you that you are not the only one and no one deserves this treatment. The courts should be there to protect you, not victimize you. Judge Griffis is a supporter of abuse, encourages this action by not punishing the abuser, better yet he condones their actions. In his little mind, you deserved it.

I have never before experienced such discrimination against women. This is the worst kind of abuser there can be, because he is not accountable for his actions.

We need to make him accountable.

On Friday, July 11, at 12 noon, I will be in front of the civil court house making my cause known. If you would please join me and other victims of this judge to rally support for due process, fairness, and to help expose this Judge for who he is.

Let me know your feelings on this matter.