Justice Rodgers retiring; daughter nominated for court
4:25 PM Wed, Jun 17, 2009 | Permalink
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Superior Court Presiding Justice Joseph F. Rodgers Jr. on Wednesday announced his retirement from the bench at the same time that Governor Carcieri announced he was nominating Rodgers' daughter, Kristin E. Rodgers, for a seat on the same court.
Superior Court Presiding Justice Joseph F. Rodgers Jr.
Joseph F. Rodgers has been a judge for 35 years and when he retires will get a pension equal to his full salary, which as of July 1 will be $185,649, he said. He said he was announcing his retirement now "to accelerate the process" so the General Assembly can name someone to take his place on the Superior Court sooner rather than later. He said it was his understanding that the legislature was planning to return for a special session in August or September to take up additional judicial nominations. The Judicial Nominating Commission would have to advertise, hold hearings and vote on candidates to present to Carcieri to fill Rodgers' slot on the bench. Rodgers' 41-year-old daughter is a partner at Blish & Cavanagh which concentrates in civil litigation. She is filling the vacancy that was created by the retirement of Superior Court Judge Vincent A. Ragosta last year.
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say it ain,t so joe ==
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The superior court has not been so superior lately. Prime example is the nine year "lead paint" debacle that Silverman permitted to go on despite every jurist, law student and passer-by knowing that the "public nuisance" route was obviously incorrect. Nine years and perhaps a hundred requests from the defense and he maintained his POV right up until the RISC unanimously told him to read a law book and the case "should have been dismissed out at the offset". How could he be so wrong? And not a peep after the fact to explain his stubborn headedness. How can a smart guy be so stupid about the law?
Or the Pona trial which needs retrial because of judge's error.
I know nothing about Ms. Rodgers but I would say her connection to her father should eliminate her from consideration. This state has so many nepotic links that do not perform that she may suffer from that history. Keep your day job and let some new light into these musty courtrooms.
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Judge Rogers has served the State with intelligence, fairness and humor.
I wish him a superior retirement.
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To "say it ain't so, Joe". Your statement about "I know nothing about Ms. Rodgers but I would say her connection to her father should eliminate her from consideration," is so shallow and without merit, it's absurd!!! Shame on you!
Judge Rodgers is the most upstanding, honest, down-to-earth and fairest man I've ever met, unlike you!!
Too bad you didn't get to know him and his daughter!!
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I read these articles on judges retiring and then finding that a family member gets nominated to fill a vacant seat. This is more of the same "shuffle" we have seen in the past. Is it because there are not enough qualified candidates that apply or is the "fix in" and the insiders wan to keep the power in certain families?
It must send a chilling signal to others who apply for these positions knowing they have to deal with the insiders.
This is not good government. I feel judges should be elected and not chosen by the few.
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