Judges have no authority to intimidate prisoners

To the Editor:

In a recent published letter, I criticized Illinois judges who intimidate harmless prisoners who stand before their court without having their chains and handcuffs removed for a hearing.

This is an unnecessary and obnoxious practice. Judges have no authority to intimidate prisoners, and prisoners have the right to speak without instilled fear of the court.

On April 12, I witnessed this continued practice and insult to the people of Illinois by Monroe County Judge Dennis Doyle.

Doyle either knew or should have know that this was coercion.

I asked the circuit clerk to ask Doyle during court recess if I could see the Court's desk reference copy of the Illinois statutes that I had just seen him make reference to.

I wanted to verify the title, publisher and date of publishing. Doyle refused. I asked to speak with him. Doyle refused.

Newspapers are the bastion of the freedoms of this nation. When they abdicate this principle through timidity in reporting the legitimate concerns of residents, fear of reprisal or preferential treatment of friends/allies, they become part of the corruption of this nation.

Judge Doyle is worthless as a judge and should not be retained because of these practices by him.

Any quote of law that supports these demeaning practices is a lame excuse.

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 62, Canon 2: A judge should...conduct himself...in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.

Charles D. Sullivan
Waterloo, Ill.