Issue No. 97

December 28, 2018

In this issue....

If you are a judge, it is not a good sign for an entire issue of The Mongoose to focus solely on you. Just remember dear judge, that 20 years from now when someone Googles your name, they will hit upon my articles about you. That is not the legacy you want to leave for your grandchildren to read.

Families Just Need Fairness

I was once a scared young father in a custody trial fighting for the most important thing in my life - my children. I know how important it is to have a case decided by a judge who truly cares about the kids. I recall how badly I wanted a judge who was not influenced by big-shot lawyers or politics. I ended up representing myself in a three week jury trial involving 14 lawyers and I won custody of my children. Other attorneys made the final arguments in my case and I just sat there at the counsel table and cried. This stuff is very personal and important to me. What we do in family court and how we conduct ourselves there truly matters.

Every weekday morning worried parents and aggravated witnesses get up early and drive through traffic to find their way through an unfamiliar downtown to appear in scary and unfamiliar family courts. A work day in court may be routine for the judges, lawyers, and clerks, but it is a huge deal for those families whose entire lives are at stake. They all deserve fairness from judges who really care, who work hard and who are honest and ethical. That is why I spend so much dang time on this newsletter instead of making money or enjoying my family. I hope some day that there are no more judges like Denise Pratt or Chris Dupuy or Alicia Franklin-York for me to write about. Then, I will finish my epic novel revealing the truth about 21B Adam Street (that has been disguised all these years as 221B Baker Street) and also my history book about the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1852. Until then, I will keep on shining my light on unethical, sleazy, corrupt and stupid behavior.

I may not win every case (even if in my heart I expect to). I just want an efficient system in which my client gets a fair hearing before a judge who works hard, knows the law, and does not play favorites. I also expect judges to appoint qualified amicus attorneys who zealously look after children (and who actually personally visit their minor clients in their homes). Is that asking too much? Stay tuned.

 

Greg Enos

The Enos Law Firm

The Enos Law Firm

  17207 Feather Craft Lane, Webster, Texas 77598

 (281) 333-3030    

www.divorcereality.com

   Please forward this e-mail newsletter to everyone who cares about our family courts! 

Judge Alicia-Franklin York's behavior made me check the definition of "sleaze" to make sure I was using the word correctly:

sleaze

/slēz/

noun

immoral, sordid, and corrupt behavior or material, especially in business or politics.

Turns out I was using the word properly.

My newsletter from Wednesday was widely read and apparently Judge Franklin-York took my criticisms to heart (or maybe she realized real reporters and TV news crews really were going to answer my call for back up and watch her this morning).

Within hours of my newsletter going out, Franklin-York had her staff arrange a conference call with the lawyers in the case I wrote about on Wednesday and she ended up canceling the hearing she never ever should have set. Now, the children and parents in that case can have their case decided by a judge who cares about what is best for the children and not which politically powerful lawyer or financial backer is supporting which parent. Click here to read about what Franklin-York did in this disgusting case full of political influence and questionable rulings.

People on the inside of this situation confirm it was the publicity from my newsletter that convinced Franklin-York to cancel this hearing, regardless of what she reportedly yelled during the conference call with the attorneys.

This is what a free press does in our country. It shines a light on wrongful behavior by elected officials and it shames them or scares them into doing the right thing. I am a part-time, amateur journalist and I am foolish enough to write about the courts where I work and make my living. So, my writing effects me, my law firm and my clients. Hopefully, my writing effects everyone for the better. I try my best to be fair and accurate and even have a little fun and share some humor. Every once in a while, I feel I have made a difference. I am just very glad that Franklin-York finally did the right thing here.

I am in awe of real journalists, especially those who risk their lives to report the truth about the abuse of power. I often work with local news directors and reporters and I provide them information about the family courts. Sometimes, I give them a scoop and occasionally I give them an interview and a quote.

Some of us can remember Republican judges who worked hard, were ethical and truly cared about public service (like David Farr). I did not always agree with the rulings of retired Family District Judge Jim York, but I always appreciated his humor and his commitment to serve the public. The man worked really hard, always had a smile and he treated rich and poor with the same courtesy and dignity.

I received an e-mail from Judge Jim York after my newsletter about Alicia Franklin-York and her sleazy ways went out. The "Real Judge York" asked me to share his thoughts with you:

Please note, and publish if you will, that I am NOT RELATED BY BLOOD, NOR BY MARRIAGE, NOR BY FRIENDSHIP NOR OTHERWISE to Doug York or Alicia Franklin a/k/a Judge Alicia Franklin-York.

    I have never been contacted by either of them about any legal procedure or tactic and do not condone or accept any of their conduct as related in your newspaper and have no knowledge of any facts except as set forth in your writings.

 

     I am embarrassed and concerned with the sharing and tarnishing of my YORK surname which I have proudly borne with integrity for my almost 80 years of life and my 20 years of service to the 246th District Court.

       Sincerely, 

       James M. York a/k/a. Judge Jim York

I may be a liberal Democrat, but I truly love this honorable Republican and his integrity and hilarious sense of humor.

Most attorneys and 99.999 percent of Harris County citizens were NOT invited to a "Private Adjournment Party" Judge Alicia Franklin-York is throwing for herself in a public courtroom that belongs to everyone. Shockingly, I was not invited. Fortunately, a lot of lawyers who did receive the evite were kind enough to share it with me.

The judge widely criticized for soliciting wedding gifts from the public and lawyers a few years ago, actually appears to be soliciting gifts in this electronic invitation.

Article 1, Section 13 of the Texas Constitution says that, "all courts shall be open." I did not notice the footnote in the Constitution that allows an elected judge on her last work day in office to use the public courtroom for a private party that only the judge's family and "closest friends" have been invited to.

This is outrageous and mind blowing! How could she possibly think this is the right thing to do? Did she not think that word of this private party would get out? Why would her invitation ask for gifts? What gift does one bestow on a defeated judge with such a weak grasp of ethics and common sense?

My outrage was somewhat reduced when I was sent a sneak peek of the official portrait Franklin-York plans to unveil at her party tomorrow.

I want Judge Franklin-York's send-off party to be well attended and memorable, so I am printing flyers and will be distributing them at the homeless shelters and under-passes in the downtown area promising free wine and food.

I have also alerted the news reporters who were planning to attend the canceled hearing this morning about this party that might be of interest to their readers and viewers (and even the District Attorney, depending on how one interprets the crime of "misuse of government property").

Attorney Greg Enos has been through his own divorce and child custody battle (he won) and understands what his clients are going through. Enos graduated from the University of Texas Law School and was a successful personal injury attorney in Texas City before he decided his true calling was to help families in divorce and child custody cases. Greg Enos is active in politics and in Clear Lake area charities. He has served as President of the Bay Area Bar Association and President of the Board of Interfaith Caring Ministries. The Enos Law Firm serves clients in Galveston County, Brazoria County and Harris County, Texas.

Greg Enos

Board Certified in Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

The Enos Law Firm

281-333-3030

www. divorce reality.com