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Uploaded: Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 12:06 PM
Michael Dufficy to retire
Controversial superior court judge rests his case
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by Samantha Campos and Jason Walsh
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 | Michael B. Dufficy, 71, the senior judge on the Marin County Superior Court, has announced his retirement; he'll officially slam the gavel on 20 years of service on Feb. 18. Born in Ross and a resident of Kentfield for more than four decades, Dufficy practiced law in San Rafael for 26 years, including serving as a Marin County Deputy District Attorney in 1965-1966, until he was first appointed to the Marin County Municipal Court in 1990 by then Gov. George Deukmejian. He was elevated to the Superior Court in 1992, and thereafter elected to six-year terms in 1992, 1998 and 2004. Dufficy presided over the Marin Family Court throughout much of the 1990s; his tenure was marred by charges of cronyism and ethical violations. His critics charged that several attorneys who were personal friends of the judge--reportedly self-describing themselves as the FLEAS (Family Law Elite Attorneys)--repeatedly received favorable treatment in his court. Dufficy's supporters contended such charges were unfair, stemming from petitioners unhappy with the decisions of the court. Following a grand jury investigation, a highly critical report by investigative attorney Karen Winner and a vociferous recall effort, Dufficy stepped down from the family court in 2000 to instead preside over civil cases.
Dufficy plans to work on private mediation and alternative dispute resolution in San Rafael following his retirement.
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| Comments
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Posted by There Is A God, a resident of the San Rafael neighborhood, on Jan 27, 2010 at 5:59 pm Well, I'll be damned!
It's about time this horrific judge who has been a disgrace to the entire judicial profession loosened his iron fist from the courts of Marin. Countless innocent lives have been absolutely destroyed bc of this man's egregious lawbreaking and unethical behavior in both family and civil courts. Good riddance, Mr. Dufficy!
For the best article ever written about the Judge and his ways, check this out from the SF Weekly-
Web Link
I shudder to think that he'll continue as a private mediator- heaven help the poor souls who end up before him in that venue. Justice always goes to the highest bidder in Dufficy's court, and sadly, this is still true in most of the Marin courts today. The good ol' boy (and now girl) network lives on, and grandaddy Dufficy is the patriarch that started it all. Beware of Bev Wood, Lynn Duryee, Faye D'Opal, and the Grand Dame of them all- "the Verna Factor" Adams.
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Posted by Been there seen that, a resident of the Novato neighborhood, on Jan 27, 2010 at 6:30 pm "It's about time this horrific judge who has been a disgrace to the entire judicial profession loosened his iron fist from the courts of Marin. Countless innocent lives have been absolutely destroyed bc of this man's egregious lawbreaking and unethical behavior in both family and civil courts."
So many people talk fondly about the stellar bench Marin had, pre-Dufficy corruption. I agree that you could interchange the names "Lynn Duryee", and "Verna Adams" (both Dufficy proteges), for the words "this man", and have the above statement be exactly right on. One down, two to go.
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Posted by Mrs. Howard, a resident of the San Anselmo neighborhood, on Jan 28, 2010 at 2:52 pm He is a good and decent man who was unfairly maligned by litigants who did not get what they wanted in court. Its a disgraceful witch hunt!
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Posted by Frank, a resident of the Mill Valley neighborhood, on Jan 28, 2010 at 7:16 pm Mrs. Howard,
You sadly have a blind allegance to Dufficy. I went before him in family law court several times and he did not follow the law and went against filed court document requirements. He foisted his personal opinions and preferences on the people he ruled upon. I told my attorney that the only respect I had for Dufficy was that he could screw me, and the attorney who new Dufficy personally agreed that he was out of line. Dufficy held that this is a nation of himself, not laws. His departure is well overdue.
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Posted by courtwatch, a resident of the Larkspur neighborhood, on Feb 4, 2010 at 8:42 pm I have, amazingly to many, given Beverly Wood the benefit of the doubt.
And then, in a case, I saw documents indicating that "official" court documents (read: register of actions, and court minutes) have been altered, in order to enable the Marin Court to smear, and sanction, a longtime, about-to-retire court critic.
I most assuredly do understand illegal sanctions, and retributive actions regarding, court critics.
Bev Wood no longer has the benefit of my doubt.
As I was told, many times, she is Judge Duryee's (our richest, and, I believe our most corrupt judge) puppet.
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Posted by Steve, a resident of the Novato neighborhood, on May 13, 2010 at 1:20 pm To all the morons who supported this disgrace of a judge, read the original grand jury report and investigative journalism that revealed many despicable judicial rulings of this arrogant and corrupt public servant.
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Posted by "disgruntled", a resident of the Ross neighborhood, on May 15, 2010 at 10:19 am The court corruption lives on in the body and spirit of Verna Adams. She will bent the rules, evidence, whatever to get to her goal. And she puts on quite a show how righteous she is in issuing her corrupted ruling. She is Shelob (of The Three Rings) once you are in her court room. The Marin Court System is as corrupt as it can get with Lynn Duyree, Kelly Simons, and this Verna Adams. Notice the pattern, all females and connected with the Family Court either presently or prior. The Marin Court system is presently run by a majorty of judges who are corrupt.
This corruption will continue as long as the public do not get involved. The easiest way to boot corruption out is to eliminate donations to judicial elections. It is understood an attorney will have to donate money to their elections if you want to stay in their favor. And the law firm of Lynn Duyree's husband runs some of these judge's elections!
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