Call for Investigation into Judicial Misconduct in San Mateo County Family Court

In this open letter to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, I formally request an urgent investigation into widespread judicial misconduct and civil rights violations occurring in the San Mateo County Family Court. The letter details alarming issues such as the denial of due process, infringement on constitutional rights, ADA violations, and biased treatment toward pro se litigants—particularly domestic violence survivors and those with disabilities. The misconduct has resulted in unjust outcomes, financial ruin, and even child fatalities, highlighting a critical need for accountability and reform within the court system. I encourage other San Mateo litigants who have experienced similar injustices to join in demanding accountability and submit their own requests for investigation.

Tips for Litigants Writing the Letter to the Attorney General

When writing your letter to the Attorney General, please follow these guidelines to ensure clarity and effectiveness:

1. Focus on San Mateo County Family Court (SMC FC):

   • Limit the content to issues related specifically to the San Mateo County Family Court.

2. Keep it Concise and Direct:

   • Your primary request should be for an immediate investigation into the misconduct and violations of the San Mateo County Family Court.

   • You may also include a secondary request for public Zoom access to all court proceedings to increase transparency and accountability.

3. Include Concrete Examples of Civil Rights Violations:

   • Use a bulleted list to outline specific examples of civil rights violations you’ve witnessed. This could include:

     • Denial of due process.

     • Violations of parental and privacy rights.

     • Retaliation or discrimination against pro se litigants and those with disabilities (ADA violations).

     • Ex parte communications and biased rulings benefiting certain attorneys.

4. Avoid Emotional or Personal Case Details:

   • Do not mention personal case outcomes or use emotional language that might discredit the group as disgruntled litigants. Stick to objective, factual statements about systemic issues.

5. Include Evidence if Available:

   • If you have any evidence (court documents, recordings, etc.) that supports your claims, include it in your letter to strengthen your request.

6. Use Key Terms to Highlight the Issues:

   • Be sure to include the following keywords:

     • Institutional betrayal

     • Litigation abuse

     • Infliction of harm

     • DARVO (Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender)

     • Post-separation abuse

     • Coercive control

7. CC Other Key Recipients:

   • Send a CC of your letter to additional important figures, including:

     • Governor of California

     • First Lady of California

     • Attorney General’s wife

     • San Mateo County Board of Supervisors

     • Local representatives

8. Optional Cover Letter or Page with Photos:

   • You may consider adding a cover letter or an additional page with photos to further personalize your letter.

9. Suggestion:

   • Consider asking family members to write letters as well. Their personal stories about how their children or grandchildren are being harmed could add weight to the request.

Send the letter to Attorney General Rob Bonta and other relevant parties:

1. Attorney General: Rob Bonta

2.  Governor Gavin Newsom

3. First Partner Jennifery Siebel Newsom

4. State Senator Josh Becker

5. US Senator Alex Padilla

6. Senator Thomas Umberg

7. Senator Andreas Borgeas

8. Senator Susan Rubio

9. US Senator Laphonza Butler

10. US House Representative Kevin Mullin

11. Assemblymember Julie A. T. R. Jackson

12. Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham

13. Assemblymember Diane Papan

14. California Civil Rights Department

15. The Commission on Judicial Performance

16. Center for Judicial Excellence (CJE)

17. California Protective Parents Association (CPPA)

18. Family Court Reform - Danielle Pollack - Advocate for Children

19. Family Justice Center

20. The Domestic Violence Council

21. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors

22. Family Court Reform USA

23. NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit

24. WSJ Reporter Dan Frosch email: dan.frosch@wsj.com

***** Please send a copy of your FINAL LETTER to: smfamilycourtawareness@proton.me

Here is a sample letter you can copy and paste or use as a template to write your own: 

Dear Attorney General Rob Bonta,

I am writing to formally request an immediate investigation into widespread judicial misconduct and civil rights violations within the San Mateo County Family Court. 

As a [current/former] litigant in this jurisdiction, I have personally witnessed violations of due process, equal protection, parental rights, First Amendment freedoms, unreasonable search and seizures, right to counsel, privacy rights, protection from retaliation, and rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These violations undermine the legal system and have life-altering consequences for those involved, with outcomes that can even prove fatal—constituting institutional betrayal.

There is a disturbing and pervasive pattern of misconduct, particularly in cases involving domestic violence or significant assets, often characterized by DARVO tactics ('Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender’) and power imbalances. These cases reveal unlawful practices, including the denial of due process, infringements on constitutional rights, and ADA violations. Furthermore, preferential treatment is extended to seasoned attorneys who engage in ex parte communications and benefit from "rubber-stamped" court orders, raising serious concerns about quid pro quo arrangements with judges and court personnel. 

Motions filed by pro se litigants—particularly those who are indigent, survivors of domestic violence, or disabled (whether the disability is visible or invisible)—are routinely denied without proper judicial discretion or legal foundation. This practice results in profoundly unjust outcomes, often in direct contradiction to established law, further marginalizing these vulnerable populations and denying them their fundamental right to due process.

The systemic bias also extends to procedural abuses aimed at disadvantaging pro se litigants. Judges and court clerks engage in deliberate obstructions, making it virtually impossible for self-represented parties to navigate the legal system, file appeals, or secure counsel. These actions, compounded by misuse of vexatious litigant laws and Family Code case management, deprive litigants of their constitutional right to access the courts, violating federal law. Additionally, pro-term judges exploit their position for preferential treatment in trial scheduling and case outcomes, a clear violation of Penal Code § 94 prohibiting such gratuities.

The consequences of these practices include unjust custody decisions, one-sided property divisions, and financial ruin for many litigants, with some cases contributing to severe mental health consequences, homelessness, and even child fatalities. These practices not only devastate families but also strain public resources and perpetuate cycles of abuse.

I have experienced [briefly describe your specific case, e.g., biased rulings, denial of due process, failure to apply legal standards]. These actions have caused [briefly describe specific personal impacts, e.g., trauma to my child, financial devastation, reliance on state assistance programs]. The harm extends beyond my case, impacting the broader community by perpetuating systemic inequality and judicial corruption.

Given the gravity of these allegations, I urge your office to promptly investigate the conduct of the San Mateo Family Court. The judiciary must be held accountable to both the law and the public it serves.

I look forward to your prompt response. Please feel free to contact me at [phone] or [email] should you require further information or documentation. If I do not hear from your office by [insert date], I will follow up accordingly.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, and this blog is intended solely for educational purposes and sharing information. The content provided here should not be taken as legal advice.