I was naive to have trusted that representations made in signed, written documents were legally binding and would be upheld; that State-licensed companies knew the existing laws pertaining to their professions and adhered to those laws; that judges conducted trials fairly, with the intent of achieving truth and justice; that when we chose a jury trial, the jury would be allowed to hear testimony, see the evidence, and decide the verdict; that attorneys, who are officers of the court, would verify information before submitting it to the court and not knowingly submit false information; that our attorney was competent and would be prepared for trial; that people did not lie under oath or disappear while under subpoena, and if they lied or disappeared, there were legal consequences; that the truth would be told, or it would be revealed; that legal documents and public records would be allowed as evidence; that State agencies were created with the intent of protecting -- and funded with taxpayers’ dollars to protect -- the people; that State licensing agencies monitored and governed the businesses they license; and that businesses licensed by the State are legally required by the State to stand behind their work.

Yes, I was naive.  Actually, a judge read part of the above in court and stated, “that wasn’t naive, it is insane.”  Okay, naive or insane, I’m also afraid. Afraid of what’s happening to our society. I now know justice is not for average citizens and the party with the most money usually prevails in our civil court system -- unless it’s a high profile case with the eyes of the world on it.

I’ve seen where innocent people plea bargain for a fine, because the fine is much less than what it would cost for attorney fees and lost time from work.  I saw an elderly couple on a fixed income purchase an item she had wanted for years; but when it was delivered, they weren’t shown how to operate it as their purchase contract stated they would be. They couldn’t figure out how to work it, and the company wouldn’t show them how or take the item back. They filed suit in small claims court; but then they received a threatening letter from an attorney -- the brother of the owner of the company -- threatening to sue them for defamation.  They could not afford an attorney and dropped the case. The item now sits in their home as a constant reminder, and they do not talk about what happened with anyone. They have been silenced through fear.

I decided to go public with my case when an acquaintance told me she was going to file a case against a company who had sold them a defective item that was contractually guaranteed and refused to either take the item back or fix it. I told her not to even try, that she didn’t have a chance in our legal system; and then I started to cry.  After all this time!

I realized what “they” had done to me and that I had to fight back.  It’s through our fear, silence, and inaction that legal corruption and fraudulent business practices are perpetuated. I refuse to be silenced through fear, or because I don’t have money to fight.

The legal system has been corrupted by judges and lawyers to the point where truth, common sense, honor, and justice are banned from the courtroom.  Judges and lawyers believe jurors are too stupid to be able to discern information; they totally control what evidence the jurors are allowed to see and what testimony they are allowed to hear.  There is a reason why there are so many lawyer jokes; such as, “the only thing sad about a bus carrying lawyers going off a cliff is that the bus wasn’t full.” The legal system desperately needs to be reformed, and it’s not going to be the money-grubbing lawyers who sell their souls and then claim they were only doing their jobs or apathetic lawmakers who reform it. It’s going to have to be a grassroots movement of the people, by the people, and for the people.