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Like the saying goes It takes a village to raise a child. For family courts to dictate finical child support with guidance from the Attorney General Office is always going to be a disaster. How many of us love our electric, telephone, tax and mortgage companies? Not many am sure. When family courts add children to this list, both parent and child loose and relationships are strained and degraded forever.
Poor decision can affect the lives of so many known and so much unknown. By court 246 removing father from his home after traveling 30 miles with his daughtet to purchase this puppy. Today Major s isolated in a back yard no one to play with and a feed and water routine adhock at best.
This is a family pet that is special and is cherished. Since the court has driven the father from his house and the children are scattered pets are given little attention.
Plants are not watered and are degrading with the summer heat. Judges of court 246 continue to live life as normal not a care for the damage they have caused.
It is sickening when people who should know better perpetuate acts that are so extreme that so many lives could be devastated to such horrible extent.
The 14th Amendment clearly protect Americans from Government actions that bears negatively on their Life, Liberty and happiness to include confiscating property (home) without a hearing. The court may argue the ruling is temporary. Can you imagine being removed from your home temporarily for more than a month? Now the court is proposing extending it's ruling for another month. In the courts opinion are these delays in the interest of the children.
Judges in court 246 take the liberty to make these outrageously strange rulings under the cover of protecting children. To the judges of court 246 Houston, It has primary responsibility for the well being of children with support of AG office. To say a temporary ruling from a judge cannot be appealed and that the court can play with scheduling a ruling when it suites them is ridiculous. The children need to be assured a home and a parent responsible for providing stability to their lives. For the AG office to complain of paper work while a father and his children are separated by a court without a hearing is a violation of the 14th Amendment.
Can you imagine a court having the ability to change ownership of a house even temporarily without a hearing. How do they determine responsibility to the mortgage company, insurance for the home, payments for utilities, liability and debt accrued as a result of someone else having the house? Can one appreciate the complications that the court is taking upon itself?
Two cases bear out this fact. Washington V Glucksburg and Meyer V Nebraska. The fact that the highest Courts in America have ruled in the affirmative regarding these cases give comfort to minority males.
Also arbitrary re Set's can be avoided by filing Mandamus.
I am not an attorney far from one and am not providing legal advice. I am pointing individuals to resources that will help them equip them with tools necessary to cope with court pressures and illegal rulings from family court.
Concluding a court hearing to determine the future of two children the judge from 246 Family court Houston decided to prolong their suspense and uncertainty by resetting the hearing for the 19th of September while the children life continues In limbo.
The court did not inform anyone that the judge who was to hear the case was away so persons waiting for hearings from the judge were in court till mid day. This was when the court calmly informed waiting parties the judge was not available. Court 246 operates worse than a candy shop. This judge does not understand that school is about to begin and that the children need a home to live and a parent to care for them since he gave their home to an abandoning mother who does not have the resources to care for a home or children while maintaining a heavy night life any joggling between two minimum wage jobs.
The children need to know who will be responsibly for their support and supplies. These questions should have been answered prior to the judges of court 246 removing them from the care of their home and care of their father.
I am calling on the judges of court 246 Houston Texas to schedule an Imergency hearing to finalize outstanding issues regarding this case. It is unconscionable that this court continues to disregard rights associated with these minority children. And continue to disrupt the lives of these children indefinitely.
I have been siting in family court witnessing a trial involving two clients and two attorneys non minorities. This hearing seem to involve procedures for a jury trial. It has gone on for about an hour with no end in sight. On the contrary, this same court would not allow 30 minutes for a trial that would determine the future of two minority children, also whether a permanent residence exists for the children at the conclusion of the divorce trial. Remember
Remember the court made the determine to remove the father from his lawful residence and gave the mother home and children. Now she has one home, one apartment, utilities, food for her and two children as her responsibility. The father has decided to walk away from the house and it is questionable whether the mother of the children will be able to keep the house with a salary of less that $12.00 an hour.
The court after so many years of experience with family matters, could not see the results of its actions in this case is beyond me. The court could have admonished the mother regarding her temper and issues of behavior or give her temporary custody of the children, without throwing the father on the street. The court awarded the residence of the children and the residence itself more than a year ago. Am sitting in the court 15 feet from the judge giving these attorneys all the time they need rightfully so and very professional.
Where was that patience and professional wisdom when a trial to displace a father and destroy the consistency and stability of the children was being heard
A family court judge flirts with applying a band aid for a case involving a father thrown out of his house by a highly contested and controversial default order. The judge promised a speedy reset hearing, but after weeks with the children and their residency in doubt, the father out of his house thrown out with only the clothes on his back, the judge at a hearing express concerns and thought of a band aid as a temporary means of mitigating the prolong I'll effect of the case.
Off course drama would follow when the attorney for the Attorney General Office complaint of having to prepare new documents bearing in mind a final trail was scheduled for two weeks. It is amazing that an attorney charged with protecting children would claim preparing papers would burden the office of the Almighty Attorney General.
The Office had no problems producing papers for visitation and child support days earlier when it favored the mother. When the card is turned and the motion to set aside is filed by the minority father, the Almighty Attorney General Office claims it would be burdened by having to prepare paper work.
The AG office is paid for by tax payers the minority father is classified as such. Yet the most damaging component is the court and AG office would not recognise the children locked in a life of uncertainty. How long will this lynching continue.
Am following this case in Family Court today not expecting to change the tone of this story in any way. Something however is different with the atmosphere in the court. The Judge seem to be more humane and tensions seem to be less in contrast to other experiences.
I cannot wait for the excuse of the court and AG representative this time around. Maybe this is a day when at least one minority male will leave court 246 with the feeling that they have received justice.
With school soon to reopen children need assurance and consistency. Let's hope one way or another they will receive a ruling that will result in near normal living conditions.
We need a family court that is sensitive to the needs of our children and treats their parents equally to the benfits of our children.
Houston courts have to remove fear from especially minority males and be equally fair to all who unfortunately have to visit their courts.
Check out @IACSC_2002's Tweet: https://twitter.com/IACSC_2002/status/758471539050283008?s=09
This violent mother who has had three fights with her 15 year old daughter in the last 22 months was placed in the house with two minor children. This mother is attacking a lady with an electric saw she is using to damage the residence, she is being restrained by her 15 year old while the 11 year old heads for higher ground.
Is this the best we can do America?
Is this the best our American Family courts can do. Are they ever going to be held responsible for their actions that bring so much harm to so many families and devastate so many children.
Children like flowers I picture them the same. They bring out the sunshine and hold back the rain. If I can only have my way to change our nation's thoughts today I would gather all who have power in America and to them I would say. Don't harm the children people, please let them be. Don't hurt the children people for if you do your life will end in shame
Family court judges don't hurt our children. Politicians don't hurt our chilren. Americans don't hurt our children. If you cannot help just leave them alone.
Thanks and God bless.
When school opens next month, children affected when their primary parent was abruptly changed by family court will experience uncertainties that were not present in earlier school years. In a recent case the court removed a father from his home where he cared for his children ages 16 and 10. The court gave the mother who had abandoned the house years earlier primary custody for the children and demanded the father left the house, pay child support and could visit the children with a schedule more complicated than that of preparing a space craft for flight.
The mother on the other hand has not seen or communicated with the 10 year old for days. The child is with the father building her very impressive hamster village and baking pastries. The 16 year old is now virtually alone since the mother works all day till evening and off course has her apartment to spend time and remember she abandoned the house years ago, has lease and utilites to pay for her apartment and the burden given by the court to pay for a house, house maintenance, utilites and other house owner related expenses.
How could a family court get it so wrong. The family court judge promised a speedy hearing more than a month ago. She expressed concern for the children and promised a resolution in days. On 30th June she flirted with a band aid to address the problem until the final hearing in August. There has been no change to this day. Today the children are confused and have to suffer greatly, the court goes along merrily with its business. Care not what doesn't affect me. Mother's attorney has earned his pound of flesh, the Attorney General Office has made its numbers more attractive and the father continues his efforts at keeping his children sane while to seek to keep a roof over his own head.
This cannot be a picture taken in America. Can court 246 Houston ever make right a wrong that is so obvious.
When dealing with children affairs, sensitivity is the watch word. Continuity is vital for assurance and self esteem. Every institution and business adhere to the code of conduct protect children at all cost. Law enforcement and legal institutions have the obligation to safe guard children from and situation that can negatively impact their experience.
This sensitivity should be extended from the courts especially those that deal with family issues. When the family is in turmoil, children are affected the most and are at their most vulnerable state. Their minds are wondering, their security is threatened and their world is spinning out of control. Parents are so busy trying to gain and advantage and have control of situations that they face, children needs often take second place.
Family courts should show restraint and exercise commonsense and sensitivity when dealing with children regardless of the children involved. Children are the pride, joy and inspiration for parents and to a lesser degree the community at large. Like the Bible says it is better that a milestone be cast around ones neck and be thrown into water than for someone to hurt children. For those of us who believe in the Bible it is written suffer not the children to come unto me for such is the kingdom of God.
One of the stunning verses of the Bible reads unless we humble ourselves not unlike children we will never enter the kingdom of God. I say emphatically, no one has or will harm children without suffering consequences on earth in their life time. I believe a curse is pronounce on any one that brings harm to children. Government officials believe they are immune to consequences brought about by their actions by thinking there are laws protecting them.
Friends, the evil that we do lives with us whether we are rich or poor, regardless of race, creed, religion, intelligent, unlearned, able or disable. Priests, pastors, criminals, presidents, judges, nurses, policemen, fireman, technicians, politicians and on and on will be judged on earth for their transgressions against children.
Family courts bear special responsibilities when dealing with children. Their moto should always be do no harm. There is no margin for error. The courts have to be sensible when taking decisions that affect mother or father child relationship. Judges are not expected to be punitive when it concern family issues but are expected to make decisions as harmless for children as can be expected.
That a family judge could separate a father from his children weeks before finalizing a divorce by forcefully demanding the removal of the father from his home where he lived providing for his children is an atrocious act that need condemnation. To so affect children's life based on a n unsubstantiated default motion that is highly questionable is regrettable and infinitely unfortunate. Without any complaint whatsoever against the father and with weeks until a final divorce decree, that a judge with all the trials knowingly affecting the children would in his infinite wisdom find justification to add additional uncertainties to the live of these children is wrong and should never be allowed to reoccur.
To add insult to injury the children had to be rescued from the mother who seemingly does not have the resources to care for the children. The court did succeed in separating the 16 and 10 years. From 22 June to present the 16 year old had Been living with friends and the 10 year old has Been with her father and eldest sister. Court 246 had heard all evidence necessary to make an intelligent decision regarding the welfare of these children. That the court choose to further burden the children is astonishing. The question has to be asked. Was this family treated with such lack of sensitivity because of its minority classification.
Would court 246 remove, separate or dictate residence for a family coping with the stress of divorce if they were affluent. The answer is clearly no and the court should be made to right the wrong that it has perpetuated.
I am calling on Federal, State and City officials to provide a forum charged to limit the damage to displaced and or damaged children injured at the hands of these power swinging irresponsible judges. Every family modification regardless of the case should provide counseling paid for from court budget to affected families. Judges should be required to provide a report to a State authority detailing unambiguous detailed reason for separating any family prior to a final decree.
Consider a hearing in a divorce case where evidence is being introduced. The judge refuses to allow entry of affidavits from the father provided by his daughter and 14 year old neighbor supporting him as a dedicated and capable father. The judge agreed with the mothers attorney that he needed three work days to review the documents and did not allow their entry into evidence.
On the other hand the judge had no problems allowing the mothers attorney to introduce envelopes he claimed were returned by the post office not collected by the father. Of note the father works daily 6 to 5, one hour from home and has had his postal box replace to protect its content from his opponent involved with this case.
Regardless, this judge not only allowed the introduction of the documents but allowed the Attorney to provide unsworn testimony regarding the documents clearly without verification, origination nor their authenticity. No foundation was laid. The documents were the only evidence provide by the attorney to oppose a set aside ruling. That ruling would have returned the father and his children in their home. The attorney represented to the court that the father was duly served although the letters for service were in his possession.
Why would a judge allow an attorney to ambush another with evidence that clearly should not have been introduced in a hearing or at least share with opposing attorney, then rule in the opposing attorneys favor. The ruling that has separated the family for more than a month.
If the argument that there is one requirement for minority males and one for all others in family courts cannot be made in general. It certainly can in this case.
Missing in today's political discussions is family court reform. Judges in Houston Texas seem to view the court as their play ground for exhibiting authority punitive to minorities especially minority males.
Their social indifference, bias and disrespect for minorities is very apparent in these courts.
It will be a shame if we miss this opportunity to highlight this problem, like a cancer, family court injustice is destroying family lives in America. These courts act as if minority males cannot spear head families and that the mother however incapable should bear the name head of house hold.
Their efforts are supported by the Attorney General Office making any decent by minority Attorneys and minority males to receive fairness from these family courts near impossible.
I am urging everyone to contact their Senators and Representatives and political candidates and request addressing family court issues in America. For the good of every family especially minorities. Don't wait until you are affected by troconian decisions of family courts to begin protecting you self.
It is very expensive to fight adverse court decisions once they are made. As these decisions are difficult to over turn. Support me by following my blogs at HTTP://williamsjules57.blogspot.com together we will have these courts to notice that fairness, equality and adherence to the law is what there job is about.
This is a story of a minority father that wakes at 4:30 every morning hugs his 10 year old daughter gives her a school pep talk, sends her back to sleep and leave for work. His work schedule was designed so that she would be picked up if needs be at 4 pm. This has been the case for years after her mother left the house in search of a better life.
Coping with the reality of a divorce in a few weeks, court 246 Houston removed the father from the home and demanded he turn the keys over to the mother. That decision has cause considerable headaches for that family.
The question is under what circumstance can a judge remove a father from his house and give it to someone who is not responsible for paying bills, maintaining the house, providing food and clothes for the children. As far as can be verified there was no CPS report of abuse or neglect, there was frequent police presence at the house before the mother left but none since except when she stops and is involved with what the police calls criminal mischief.
These judges ably supported by officials from the Attorney General Office can am sure justify almost any action. But this one is hard sell. At some point this court will answer to some authority regarding the maham it causes to minority families. It's like they have no children and family affiliation of their own.
How can a judge who has destroyed someone's family return to his home and spend time with his own family with peace of mind.
An attorney in court 246 objected to the introduction of a photo as an exhibit because it showed no hands.
Take a look at your driver's license. Do you see hands. Oh oh a State issued ID.
Take a look at your passport photo. Where are the hands. Can you believe the judge only allowed the evidence in when the attorney asked that it have to be referred to as an image.
These are some of the hoops minority males have to jump through in family court 246. Houston Texas.
What happens to father's pets when he is forcefully removed from his home? This case involves a father whose pets include hens, rabbits, turtles, aquarium and birds. Taking care of this bunch is no little fate. Pets recognize their owners and become acquainted to them. Their feeding and caring routines are established and consolidated.
When the bond is broken the pets grieve and react. For instance, the hens would each lay an egg every day. Once the dad was not home to visit, feed and care for them the hens stopped laying. They are fed the same feed at about the same time each day but there are no more eggs. The turtles would come to the front of the aquarium every morning and would scratched the glass. They don't appear or seem to care anymore. And the birds seem to be subdued and not entertaining as usual. The kids report no obvious change with the rabbit.
Could it be the abstract bias unnecessary actions of family judges are also affecting family pets? It seem to make sense that a mother who can so easily abandon her children would care less about pets. Stressed children separated from their father pay less attention to pets. The conclusion is both family and pets suffer the rampage of the courts.
Judges in family courts know the effects of their actions but again the devastation is only done to expendable, less valued minorities. Who cares!!!
A family court Judge upheld a default judgement against against a minority father throwing out of his house with only the clothes on his back even if the method of service was highly questionable.
ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS
Misc Docket No. 99-9175
Appointment of a District Judge to Preside
in'a State Bar Disciplinary,Action
The Supreme Court of Texas hereby appoints the Honorable Margaret Keliher, Judge of
the 44th District Court of Dallas County, Texas, to preside in the Disciplinary Action styled:
The Commission for Lawyer Discipline v. Ray L. Shackelford
to be filed in a District Court of Harris County, Texas.
The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall promptly forward to the District Clerk of Harris
County, Texas, a copy of this Order and of the Disciplinary Petition for filing and service
pursuant to Rule 3.03, Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure.
As ordered by the Supreme Court of Texas, in chambers,
with the Seal thereof affixed at the City
of Austin, this 27th day of September, 1999.
SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS
This assignment, made by Misc. Docket No. 99-9175, is also an assignment by the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court pursuant to Texas Government Code §74.057.
Signed this^7 day of September, 1999.
Thomas R. Phillips
Chief Justice
cotPy
COMMISSION FOR LAWYER
DISCIPLINE
V.
RAY L. SHACKELFORD
CAUSE NO.
§
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF
§
§
§
HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS
§
§
JUDICIAL DISTRICT
ORIGINAL DISCIPLINARY PETITION
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT:
COMES NOW Petitioner, the COMMISSION FOR LAWYER DISCIPLINE, a
committee of the State Bar of Texas (hereinafter referred to as "Petitioner"), complaining of
Respondent, RAY L. SHACKELFORD, (hereinafter referred to. as "Respondent"), and would
show the Court the following:
1. DISCOVERY CONTROL PLAN
Pursuant to Rules 190.1 and 190.2, TEXAS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE (TRCP),
Petitioner intends discovery in this case to be conducted under the Level 2 Discovery Control
Plan. Pursuant to Rule 190.3(a), Petitioner affirmatively pleads that it seeks only monetary relief
excluding costs, pre-judgment interest and attorney's fees.
H. NATURE OF PROCEEDING
Petitioner brings this disciplinary action pursuant to the STATE BAR ACT, TEXAS
GOVERNMENT CODE ANNOTATED §81.001, et seq. (Vernon 1988 and supp. 1994); the
TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT, and the TEXAS RULES
OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE. The complaint that forms the basis of this Original
Disciplinary Petition were filed on or after May 1, 1992.
III. VENUE
Respondent is an attorney licensed to practice law in Texas and a member of the State Bar
of Texas. Respondent is a resident of and has his principal place of practice in Harris County,
Texas; therefore, venue is appropriate in Harris County, Texas, pursuant to Rule 3.03 of the
TEXAS RULES OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE. Respondent may be served by and through
his attorney, Jerry L. -Zunker at 812 San Antonio, Suite 105, Austin, Texas 78701-2224.
IV. CAUSE OF ACTION
This cause of action derives from the documents that were filed in Cause No. 89-28857,
In the Interest of Christopher Andrew Willis, a Minor Child, In the 246th Judicial District Court
of Harris County, Texas. The Complainant, Sharon K. Wall (hereinafter known as "Wall") was
retained by Ms. Judith Elaine Pierson Roberts, mother of Christopher Andrew Willis, Movant in
Cause No. 89-28857 to establish parentage of her child in 1995.
In or around 1996, the parties in this case discussed modifying the order and Ms. Roberts
faxed an agreement with certain terms to Respondent.
On or about February 11, 1997, Ms.
Roberts signed an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) statement before an notary. However,
the ADR statement was attached to a motion to modify filed in 1997 that was dismissed.
Wall learned that on November .9, 1998 certain purported agreed documents: Agreed
Motion to Modify in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship, Waiver of Citation, Agreed
Order on Motion to Modify in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship, and Amended Order
of Withholding from Earnings for Child Support, each bearing the purported signature of Ms.
Roberts, were filed with the court. Two of the documents were notarized. These documents were
also signed by Michael Earl Willis, the father and obligor, and Walter E. Strickland, as his
Dripinal Disciplinery PetitionlJ:ISheddrd.raY1CFLD5IDP
Page 2
attorney of record. Ms. Roberts did not recall signing any of those documents.- It appears that
Respondent intentionally deceived the court by having someone in his office sign Ms. Robert's
name to a set of documents and submitting them to the court as her signature.
Wall filed a contest to entry of the documents, a motion to strike and a motion for
sanctions, setting the matter for hearing on December 11, 1998. Mr. Strickland did not appear
nor did Mr. Willis. Instead, Respondent appeared for Mr. Willis. Respondent did not appear at
previous hearings because he was serving a disciplinary suspension which was in effect until
November 15, 1998. The matter before the court was reset to December 18, 1998.
On December 18, 1998, the parties met before the Honorable Don Ritter, Presiding Judge
of the 246th District Court of Harris County, Texas for a motion for new trial or rehearing, an
objection to the entry of purported agreed orders, a motion to strike pleadings, a motion to strike
orders and a motion for sanctions. Ms. Roberts verified, under oath by the affidavit she signed
on December 3, 1998, and filed with the court, that she did not sign any of the documents filed
by Respondent on November 9, 1998, the signatures which appeared on the documents bearing
her name were not her signatures, she did not give any person permission to sign her name to any
of the documents filed, she did not appear before Betty J.Vallie, Notary who notarized Exhibit
"A" to the Agreed Motion to Modify in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship on January
30, 1998, she did not appear before Betty J. Vallie, Notary who notarized the Waiver of Citation
on October 30, 1998, nor she did not give any notary permission to notarize a document
purporting to bear her signature in her absence. Ms. Roberts also denied ever meeting or speaking
with Walter Strickland.
Dripinal Diacipfinery PetitianlJ:ISheddrd.roylCFLD5IDP
Page 3
On December 18, 1998, Respondent admitted on the record in court that Ms. Roberts did
not sign any of the documents nor appear before the notary.
He stated that one of his legal
assistants signed the.documents and that they were signed with the assumption that the agreement
was still in effect. He stated that the notary in his office and Darlene Daniels represented to the
notary that Ms. Roberts was there.
V. RULE VIOLATIONS
The acts and/or omissions of Respondent described in Paragraph IV above which occurred
on or before January 1, 1990, constitute conduct in violation of Rules 3.03(a)(1) [for making a
false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal]; 3.03(a)(2) [for knowingly_failing to disclose
a fact to a tribunal when disclosure is necessary to avoid assisting a criminal or fraudulent act]
3.03(a)(5) [for knowingly offering or using evidence that the lawyer knows to be false]; and
8.04(a)(3)[for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation].
VI.
The complaint that forms the basis of this cause of action was brought to the attention of
the Office of the General Counsel of the State Bar of Texas by Sharon K. Wall's filing of a
complaint on or about January 12, 1999.
PRAYER
WHEREFORE, PRF.MISES CONSIDERED, Petitioner, COMIVIISSION FOR
LAWYER DISCIPLINE, respectfully prays that this Court discipline Respondent, RAY L.
SHACKELFORD, by reprimand, suspension, or disbarment, as the facts shall warrant;
restitution; and all other relief to which Petitioner may show itself to be justly entitled, including
costs of court and attorneys' fees.
Odpinel Dieeiplinary PetitionlJ:ISheddrd.roylCFL051DP
Page 4
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn Miller
Acting General Counsel
Kimberly M. Gamble
Assistant General Counsel
Office of the General Counsel
State Bar of Texas
1111 Fannin, Suite 1370
Houston, Texas
77002
(713) 759-6932
(713) 752-2158 FAX
State Bar No. 00789804
ATTORNEYS FOR PETITIONER,
COMMISSION FOR LAWYER
DISCIPLINE
Dripind Dirciplinery PetitionlJ:ISheckird.reYlCFlD51DP
Pege 5
STATE BAR OF TEXAS
Office of the General Counsel
August 12, 1999
Mr. John T. Adams, Clerk
Supreme Court of Texas
P.O. Box 12248
Austin, Texas 78711
Re:
Commission for LawverDiscipline v Ray L. Shackel ord
Dear Mr. Adams:
Enclosed please find an original and two (2) copies of a Disciplinary Petition being filed by the
Commission for Lawyer Discipline against Ray L. Shackelford.
Mr. Shackelford has designated
Harris County, Texas as his principal place of practice. Request is hereby made that the court
appoint an active District Judge who does not reside in the Administrative Judicial Region in
which Respondent resides to preside in this case. Upon appointment, request is hereby made that
you notify the Respondent at the address shown below and the undersigned of the identity and
address of the judge assigned:
Ray L. Shackelford
c/o Jerry L. Zunker
812 San Antonio, Suite 201
Austin, Texas 78701
As a practical matter, I would respectfully suggest that you inquire with the judge to be appointed
as to (1) whether he or she will be able to comply with the 180 day deadline by which the case
must be set for trial set forth in Section 3.07 of the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure; and
(2) whether he or she can accommodate compliance with Mellon Service Co., et al v. Touche
Ross Co., 946 S.W.2d 862 (Tex. App. - Houston [14th Dist.], which requires that all proceedings
incident to a case occur in the county of proper venue. If not, I would respectfully request that
an alternate appointment be made.
1111 Fannin, Suite 1370, Houston, Texas 77002, (713)759-6931
Mr. John T. Adams, Clerk
Supreme Court of Texas
August 12, 1999
Page 2
Once a trial judge has been appointed, please forward the original and two (2) copies of the
Disciplinary Petition, the filing fee check, also enclosed herewith, and the Court's appointing
order to the District Clerk of Harris County, Texas, with the request that the suit be filed, service
be obtained, and a file-marked copy of the petition be returned to the undersigned.
I have enclosed a pre-addressed envelope for your use in transmitting the above reference
documents, to the District Clerk of Harris County, Texas, and a return envelope to be sent to the
District Clerk of Harris County, Texas, for the Clerk's use in returning a file-stamped copy of the
petition to the undersigned.
If you have any questions, please contact me. Thank you for your assistance.
Very truly yours,
ik4 pt,'oJeQ1
Kimberly M. Gamble
Assistant General Counsel
KMG/lp
Enclosures
1111 Fannin, Suite 1370, Houston, Texas 77002, (713)759-6931
THE SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS
CHIEF )USTICE
THOMAS R. PHILLIPS
POST OFFICE BOX 12248
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711
CLERK
JOHN T. ADAMS
TEL:(512)4G3-13)2
JUSTICES
EXECUTIVE ASS'T
FAX: (512) 463-1365
WILLIAM L WILLIS
NATHAN L. HECHT
CRAIG T. ENOCH
PRISCILLA R. OWEN
;.-1uT, 0 7 1999
.
DEPUTY EXECUTIVE ASS'T
JAMES A. BAKER
JIM HUTCHESON
GREG ABBOTT
DEBORAH G. HANKINSON
ADMINISTRATIVE ASS'T
HARRIET O'NEILL
NADINE SCHNEIDER
ALBERTO R. GONZALES
The Honorable Charles Bacarisse
District Clerk of Harris Countv
P.O. Box 4651
Houston, Texas 77002
Dear Mr. Bacarisse:
Pursuant to Rule 3.03 of the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, I am sending for filing
State Bar of Texas Disciplinary Action styled: The Commission for Lawyer Discipline v. Rav L.
Shackel ford. and a copy of the Supreme Court's order appointing the Honorable Margaret Keliher,
Judge of the 44`h District Court. Dallas, Texas, to preside in this Disciplinary Action.
Sincerely,
StGf3ED
John T. Adams
Clerk
cc:
Honorable Margaret Keliher
Ms. Kimberly M. Gamble
Mr. Ray L. Shackelford
Ms. Melissa Dartez
CHIEF IUSTICE
THOMAS R. PHILLIPS
JUSTICES
NATHAN L. HECHT
CRAIG T. ENOCH
PRISCILLA R. OWEN
JAMES A. BAKER
GREG ABBOTT
DEBORAH G. HANKINSON
HARRIET O'NEILL
ALBERTO R. GONZALES
THE SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS
POST OFFICE BOX 12248
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711
TEL: (5 12) 463-1312
FAX: (512) 463-1365
OrT 0 7 1999
Honorable Margaret Keliher
Judge, 44`h District Court
600 Commerce Street. 3`d Floor
Dallas, Texas 75202
Dear Judge Keliher:
CLERK
JOHN T. ADAMS
EXECUTIVE ASS'T
WILLIAM L. WILLIS
DEPUTY EXECUTIVE ASS'T
JIM HUTCHESON
ADMINISTRATIVE ASS'T
NADINE SCHNEIDER
We enclose for your information a copy of the order of assignment, a copy of the
Disciplinary Action. a copy ofthe notification letter to Mr. Shackelford and Ms. Gamble, and a copy
of the letter to the District Clerk of Harris County.
It is recommended that, six to eight weeks after receipt of this letter. you contact the Harris
County District Court Administrative Office (71 3-755-7593)to find out the district court to which
this disciplinary case has been assigned.
We then recommend that. either before or immediately
after you set the case for trial, you again contact the Harris County District Court Administrative
Office (713-755-6593)to reserve a courtroom, provide for a court reporter. etc. Finally, you should
contact the Presiding Judge of the Administrative Judicial Region into which you have been assigned
(713-471-3911) to obtain information on lodging, allowable expenses, and claims forms for your
expenses incident to presiding over this disciplinary case.
Sincerely,
John T. Adams
Clerk
CHIEF JUSTICE
THOMAS R. PHILLIPS
JUSTICES
NATHAN L. HECHT
CRAIG T. ENOCH
PRISCILLA R. OWEN
JAMES A. BAKER
GREG ABBOTT
DEBORAH G. HANKINSON
HARRIET O'NEILL
ALBERTO R. GONZALES
THE SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS
POST OFFICE BOX 12248
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711
TEL:(5l2)4G3-1312
FAX: (512) 463-1365
OCT 0 7 1999
Ms. Kimberly M. Gamble
Assistant General Counsel, State Bar of Texas
IIII Fannin, Suite 1370
Houston, Texas 77002
Mr. Ray L. Shackelford
c/o Jerry L. Zunker
812 San Antonio, Suite 201
Austin, Texas 78701
Dear Ms. Gamble and Mr. Shackelford:
CLERK
JOHN T. ADAMS
EXECUTIVE ASS'T
WILLIAM L. WILLIS
DEPUTY EXECUTIVE ASS'T
JIM HUTCHESON
ADMINISTRATIVE ASS'T
NADINE SCHNEIDER
Pursuant to Rule 3.02 of the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. I hereby notify you that
the Supreme Court of Texas has appointed the Honorable Margaret Keliher. Judge of the 441h District
Court. Dallas, Texas to preside in
Commission far Lawyer Discil2line v. Ray L. Shackelforcl
Sincerely,
MGM
John T. Adams
Clerk
Family entertainment by way of comedy reaches its peak in family court 246 Houston TX. The court removed a father from his home where he lived for years with his daughters and returned the mother to the house even if she abandoned the house years ago and has a lease with an apartment complex.
I have documented this story extensively but it seem to evolve daily.
The court gave exclusive rights to the mother for the care of the children even if she left them with their father an primary residence of the father as that for the children was approved by the court. The father is directed to pay child support and other cost while the mother negotiate living terms with the management of her Apartment complex. The father was left homeless by the court.
The mother left the house at about 7am yesterday when the electricity was disconnected. She has, as promised to the father discarded his belongings from the house. At 12:04 am just past midnight July 22 she texts the father requesting the where abouts of the children 10 and 16. At 12:15 again just past midnight the same day she texts the father demanding he pay the light bill and again at 6:50 am the morning of the 23.
This is a court that has done irreversible damage to a family and the onslaught continues. I do not know where or when this story will reach its peak but I will continue documenting its evolution. Due to a court order in favor of the mother the minority father had to place his daughters in a motel at a cost of $110.00 after the mother could not be reached by phone. Four calls were placed to the mother by the 10 year old all unsuccessful when at 11 pm the father took his daughters to a motel.
In the 12:04 text on the morning of the 22, the mother inquired whether the father was keeping the children for the remainder of the month. She said this was included in the court order. No where is that included in the order that I have read.
Incidentally the judge who granted the mother temporary custody insisted that it was going to be 5 days till a hearing and their would be a resolution to the situation in consideration of the children. This was 25 June. If this was not a minority family the court would have acted urgently and the children would have been returned to their capable caring father.
Could the court be so embarrassed by this travesty that they are unsure as to how to resolve this situation?
I cannot wait to document in its entirety this entire fiasco. How can a court act in such a destructive manner and reap such havoc on a family that was working so hard towards achieving stability in spite of complications involving the mother, lost of work for the father and mounting legal costs facts well known to the court 246.
Well, the Constitution was not written strictly for professionals; that would result in confusing the contents; but a more appropriate thought is, historically, documents of that nature were written to be understood by the masses. Common sense was used by elders and community leaders of the day to understand these documents and communicate the contents to the public.
The Constitution in simple common sense highlights the value placed on the protection of Life, liberty and happiness. Actions taken by many government Institutions in America are clearly geared to impacting negatively Life, Liberty and Happiness. Family courts in Houston reap apart and impact negatively the ability of minorities especially males to make a living and care for their children. Many minorities commit suicide, abandon their families and are forced to suffer stress and mental diseases caused by acute stress, as a result of abstract and ridiculous decisions taken by family courts. Drivers license are frequently suspended, they are driven into harsh financial situations. They are isolated from their children, they are thrown out of their homes with only the clothes on their backs, they are forced into situations where they cannot work.
Many of these acts are a result of careless, ridiculous, bias and indifference judgements perpetuated by family court judges ably assisted by the Attorney General Office.
Many minority families have only their children to work, live and fight for. When the courts supported by the mighty Attorney General Office rob minority families of these treasures, they are removing the life line for survival necessary for their very existence.
Family courts should not have the authority to remove father's from their homes and children, when there is no danger to the children, the family is stable and operating as expected. The same is true for mothers. The court cannot be allowed to dismantle families because members are not perceive as equals or professional preferences are bias.
Making decisions that affect minority or any family based on institutional indifference cannot be the accepted norn in America. Minorities should make family court reform an issue in this year's coming elections thereby ensuring equity.
Minority males do not get the respect and recognition deserving a legitimate father. Yet there are so many cases deserving recognition and praise. This feeling is transfered from institutions like family courts resulting in bias oppressive decisions being rendered against them. Some of these decisions are so arbitrary that they defy common sense further more intelligence. What is baffling is the fact that these decisions are made by professionals who have to know better. So many decisions that go against minority males in favor of mothers in the family court system can only be described as ridiculous for lack of a stronger word.
Family courts removing children from homes, removing father's from their homes putting fathers on the streets with no time to remove the clothes or other items needed for them to survive. Items to include medicine, papers, tools necessary for every day work and other necessities. These judges are placing mothers into these homes even if the mothers abandoned the homes after causing major damage and inconvenience to both father and children. In one instant well documented the mother ran high utility bills deliberately and had electricity disconnected after it was restored by the father leaving the children in the dark.
The courts place the mother into the house even if testimony under oath before the judge clearly portrayed the mother as violent having had three major physical fights with her then 15 year old daughter. While out of the house and restricted by a court order the mother frequently showed up to further damage the house, equipment and other items.
The police was called 9 times between 2015 and 2016 to remove the mother from the house and prevent her from continuing her rampage. We're these concerns brought to the knowledge of the court? You bet they were. Photos, and sworn testimony are in the possession of the court. That these are being ignored is a clear indication that there is one standard for minority males and another for mothers.
We are made to understand that this mother has had her 10 year old for 14 complete days from July 2015 to March 2016, and that includes Thanks Giving, Christmas and New Years. She has had her 16 year old for 5 full days for the same period.
These statements were made in testimony before the very Judges his court ambushed the father preventing him from attending a court hearing that was to allow the mother access to the house since she was having problems with her apartment. Similar motions were not accepted by the court, yet in that instant the judge granted a motion for the mother not only to access the house but to remove the father and charging him child support, forcing him to continue utilities and he continues to spend all the time he could with his family feeding and other wise supporting them.
Important to note the court has allowed her to use the house while she maintains her apartment. Unbelievable but true.
Family courts have to be reformed. Minorities have to get relief from renegade family Judges bent on decimating minority house holds.
A family decided to leave Houston for their country of origin after their children were removed from their home facing allegations of child neglect. After thousands of dollars in legal cost, wasted time, aggravation and obvious stress the children were returned to the family no charges and little explanation.
Medical professionals had concluded earlier that there was no evidence of neglect. Why was it not possible for the family court to obtain medical opinions prior to putting this family to such hell. Why is there no procedure for compensating families that have gone to hell and back because of actions perpetrated by judges affecting minorities.
Is the old question as appropriate today as was the case throughout history in America. Was that family treated that way because they were minorities? Maybe the color of their skin?
Speaker Ryan says welfare should be tailored to individual needs and that statement is so true. The same should be said for every situation involving and affecting family social situations.
Arbitrarily charging a minority father 20% of his wages in the name of child support is not realistic especially if the child is living with the father and the support is paid to the mother. A child support cannot be Financial only and certainly not dictated by a court. When a court decides to modify the relationship between a father and his children problems and complications follow.
Minority father's have so many problems to deal with. These are severely compounded by family courts in Houston Texas supported by the District Attorneys Office.
For many years our suffering has been ignored and our cries unheard. Living with injustice is the norm. Yet we must persevere against these odds.
In spite of family courts attempt to separate a family by throwing a father from his home where he lived with his three daughters and giving his home to the mother who deserted, destroyed, raided and abandoned the house years ago.
The court ably support by the DA'S office gave the mother custody and is charging the father medical and child support. The mother in turn is demanding the father keeps the children in order to feed them.
In spite of their warth, father and daughter have been spending time building a hamster village. Some of the items are displayed but the exhibit is much more advanced.
This ten year old is determined to expose the extent of evil demonstrated by Family Courts in Houston.
This is a unique way to say to family courts and district Attorney's officers money is temporary but relationships are permanent.
In spite of the systematic attempt of the family courts in Houston to belittle and disenfranchise minority father's thereby ensuring the dismantling of the minority home structure, father's have the responsibility to ensure the protection and sustainability of the children and to maintain their family
We minority males have to recognise our children strengths and to find ways to strengthen their weaknesses. We have to show interest in their school work and in the activities they engage in outside school. We have to make recreational time for them and instill in them the values that have kept us sane thus far.
In spite of the pressures, biases and oppression brought about by institutional forces like the courts against minorities, many of us have learnt to survive. We need to share our experiences with the hope of building a network for drawing hope and strength. Let us commit to reading at least 15 minutes a day with our young ones, visiting parks and areas of educational interests. Let us use the sites still available to us to enrich the growing minds of our children.
Let us use the medical and physical resources still available to the benefit of our children. We need to place our children in a position whereby they will have a fighting chance to be the professionals that will force change in our communities in the future.
In a strange occurrence a family court judge threw a father who was caring for his children out of his home and gave it to a mother that abandoned the house years ago after literally destroying it. Earlier attempts from the mother to obtain access were denied. The mother failed to attend court appointments on three occasions. There were three previous occasions when the father appeared for court but the mother was no show. In fact there was a scheduled hearing two weeks ago when her attorney alleged service using certified mail without providing proof that the father was served.
The judge hastily allowed a default order with language to throw the father to the streets and place the mother who has had three major fights with her 16 year old daughter beginning at 14 into the house. This is a mother who placed her daughter on the street with a two month old baby daughter at 6 pm one hot June evening in Houston and was rescued by the father and was living in the house when the father was placed on the streets.
These were facts given to the court in earlier hearings.
That a judge in the United States of America can take a home from a father and his children and give to a violent law breaking mother is senseless, unbelievable and clearly a violation of the civil rights of both father and children.
To say the family court should be in the interest of the children is incredible. To force the father to pay child support to a mother who spends every moment of her free time in Houston,s clubs and abandon the children for her recreational needs has been awarded 700.00 to fund her recreational habits while the father has to maintain the children, pay utilites while paying child support.
Family court reform has to be on the agenda for the next legislature and I cannot wait to be in Austin with many who have been severely affected by these runaway courts to ensure these judges cease to destroy families as is the case in this instant.
We were awaken this morning with yet another shooting affecting and involving law enforcement. The move from predominately law enforcement shooting civilians to civilians shooting law officers. Some of these civilian shooters have had mi!Italy training including operating high powered weapons.
Treatment of past duty military personnel is a concern for overall security concerns in America. The problem is compounded when it pertains to past minority military officials.
Our hearts go out to the families of anyone who has to realize the permanent lost of life especially in a violent act. America has endorsed a culture of dispute resolution using guns. Historically America has viewed the gun as the first and last resort when confronted with any dispute regardless of the nature of the dispute.
Mass media has glorified gun violence for as long as popular media existed. One cannot escape the social and economic pressures exerted on such a wide spectrum of our communities. Some laws existing in America defy common sense and are a magnet for senseless violence.
This is a golden opportunity for sensible discussion regarding all violence to include gun used for law enforcement, recreation and crimes.
Suffering for law enforcement and civilians is the same. We have to respect and honor life regardless of the affiliation. Law makers have much responsibility for gun violence in America. I would hope as a result of current episodes of violence, law makers would do what is obvious, common sense and necessary to address the problem.
State and Federal officials and institutions need to make an overall evaluation of systematic concerns in America and to prioritize remedies that would begin to promote integrated nationalism and reduce institutional harm that is so obvious in America.
Americans are hurting maybe more now compared to any time history. Minorities are under attach from almost every institution that exists. Almost every institution is producing unnecessary pressure on Americans including education, health, commerce, housing, legal and so much more.
We are constantly told to hope yet for how long. Every day seem to drive hope further away. We no longer know who our enemies are nor where the next attach may come from.
Many Americans regardless at ethnicity are living a life of protest daily. When living is based on protests we find our selves in conflict with established norms that point us towards lawful acts and normal living.
America, violence has never solved any problem and has only intensify world conflict and misery. Most of the suffering experienced in our world today is directly associated with violence and if the expectation is for life as we knew it extensive realities have to be confronted any government institutional oppression reduced addressed.
When families are content and are not experiencing socio economic and other useless pressures the community is so much better.
Family court white lawyers told a judge in 246 court that he could not continue with his case because he could not verify the signature on the green slip for certified mail service.
Yes! The time has come and gone when judges should be respectfully addressed as Sir, mam or judge, not lordship and your honor. It is scary that one can associate these names with the legal system or the courts especially family court. These judges request you raise your right hand and sweat to speak the truth.
The joke is these judges cover their heads with a cloak of bias hypocrisy knowing the disparities that they are culturally engaged in using the courts.
Sitting in the front row of the court it is nice to witness American minority family justice at work. I am having such a good time that am not looking towards my trip to Criminal court. Maybe I will be surprised at the difference in equity displayed by criminal verses family court.
The first thing that strike me is that in family!y court children 12 and below are not permitted in court, and so two children were requested to leave. The first question you should ask is who is the family court representing when they exclude children 12 and under. If you are a minority male you are excluded anyway so the court will never see the family that the court is about to destroy.
Historic documentation involving minority blacks clearly tells of all sorts of abuses at the hands of Family Court judges. Minorities have been treated in ways not even they can contemplate. Yet you would think relief is close at hand for minorities in America. We are disadvantaged in health, education, economics, civil structure, human and legal rights amongst others.
Family courts have been used as a means of suppressing advancements or placing stumbling blocks in the way of progress for minority males for a long time affecting all sectors of our community.
With laws regarding parental rights and child support, the courts have teamed with the DAs office to create havoc with the lives of minority males.
This effort, however reaches much further into the family structure of minority families. There seem to exist in the Houston family courts systematic efforts on the part of judges to create conditions intended to burden minority blacks to the point where basic father to child relationship is not possible.
The outcome of their efforts can have three basic results. Child neglect, child to live with the aid of welfare and child support and father imprison for child support.
The judges seem to be aware of the mechanisms necessary to obtain this result and it's done on a more often than not basic. Using impossible visitation and schedules they all but isolate the children from their minority father leaving child support as the only link.
Remember to start the children lived with their father for years and it's only at the time of divorce these judges act to design an environment that would ensure primary parent and child support to the mother.
Usually the mother turned to welfare to supplement her finances. Remember the children were supported by their dad for years with little or no moral or financial support from the mother.
Organisations like NAACP, UN Human Rights, The State bar of Texas the Justice Department and our law makers should review cases previously undertaken by these courts. Some court rulings are so ridiculous that no person reasonable or not would miss the intent, bias and indifference nature of these rulings. One can clearly see the judges disrespect for minority males in the court. They can be lawyers, witnesses, plaintiff or defendants.
If you are a minority male whether you are successful or not with the court you will experience bias one way or another.
There are so many minorities complaining of injustice in family courts in Houston that the Justice Department should investigate.
The careless attitude of Family Court Judges in Houston, ably assisted by the DAs office gives the impression that minority males are expendable and consider them useless. Their decisions are normally bias against these males to the extreme. These males are deprived of basic civil rights by the action of these courts.
Rights such as work and child interaction and protection. These males are deprived of driving and thereby work. They are unable to provide consistent financial support, then spiral into despair with mounting debts and back child support. Most of these males have filed for divorce and have been supporting their children alone for years. The courts do not consider minority males as equal parents and prefer to give mothers custody only to burden the minority males with complex provisions like complex visiting schedules. Now these father's have to abide by court calenders to be with their children.
Judges will take over the residence of minority males where they live with their children for years, while their mother is with her other family. Then force the father to pay for utilites, mortgage and alternate residence, child support and medicals.
Family courts have to be held responsible for the destruction of minority families.
Human Rights, Civil Rights and State legal organizations should investigate these courts. I am calling on United Nations Human Rights to intricate the lynching of minority males at the hands of Family Judges and DA offices in Houston specifically. I am calling on the NAACP to provide legal assistance to minority male who receive blatant bias service from these judges.
Make no mistake. Criminal law reform is long over due. However Civil law reform is urgently needed. Family court judges cannot be allowed to confiscate items under community property and divide items prior to divorce. When the court orders a minority male to leave his home of 14 years and turn it over to someone who left the residence years ago, lives in an apartment and pays no bills. In fact the mother is alleged to have left the house leaving thousands of dollars in utility bills, thousands in unpaid rent and major intentional damage.
There exist documents , that the court is aware of the conditions that demanded she left the house. For a judge in court 246 Houston Texas to turn the house over to someone that irresponsible is beyond reason. We need civil court reform to prevent such tragedy.
The family courts do not represent what their name implies. They dissect relationships between children and minority father's like eagles dissect carcases.
Civil law reform is badly needed otherwise the burden to society will be Hugh, society will be disadvantage and the country on a whole will pay dearly for the evil of these judges.
