A question of faith: How Judge Vance Day became a national symbol of conservative frustration
Last night I saw this man on the Huckabee program on TBN - https://www.tbn.org/huckabee/
The WAR, and it IS a WAR!!!, against Christianity is increasing each and every day. They have gone after Bakers, florists, public prayer, bibles, and ridiculed any and all who profess Jesus Christ. The Demons of Hell are running wild around the world because they know their time is short. They have worked so hard to fill so many pulpits with their ilk (Sodomites, Lesbians, and anyone who will preach a FALSE Gospel. They have filled so many political offices with their sinful ilk and put their rules into effect - stomping out any and all mention of God and Jesus Christ.
The WAR, and it IS a WAR!!!, against Christianity is increasing each and every day. They have gone after Bakers, florists, public prayer, bibles, and ridiculed any and all who profess Jesus Christ. The Demons of Hell are running wild around the world because they know their time is short. They have worked so hard to fill so many pulpits with their ilk (Sodomites, Lesbians, and anyone who will preach a FALSE Gospel. They have filled so many political offices with their sinful ilk and put their rules into effect - stomping out any and all mention of God and Jesus Christ.
I've written much about the politicians who have taken over control of public offices and law enforcement in Sodom on the Sound (Seattle) but Oregon has its share of the same ENEMY of Christianity. This time they have gone after a JUDGE. http://www.oregonlive.com/
I do hope all will not only read this and the links at the end of this article but that you will forward it, post it to your web pages, and share it with the members of your church. SILENCE IS CONSENT of the sin that is attacking this man and all who confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Jackie Junti
WGEN idzrus@earthlink.net
Luke 6:46 - And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
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http://defendjudgeday.com/the-
The Story
Oregon Circuit Court Judge Vance Day has fought hard for almost 3 years to defend himself against charges that he violated state code of judicial conduct. His legal team did not expect much justice from the Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability. Anyone who attended the entire hearing recognized that Judge Day’s evidence would be discarded in the Commission’s attempt to drive him from the bench.
Now the Attorney General of Oregon has filed a criminal indictment based on the false allegation that Judge Day knowingly aided and abetted a felon (one of the veterans in his Vet Court) in possessing a firearm. The charges are false and independent witnesses have stated that Judge Day did no such thing. Nevertheless, it appears that the Attorney General Rosenblum wants Judge Day punished for simply standing for his First Amendment rights. It is clear that Judge Day, and those like him, have enraged the ill-liberal left. (To see Ellen Rosenblum’s final campaign email, click here)
The onslaught against Judge Day began with the Commission’s allegations filed back in June of 2015. Most of the accusations range from insignificant to trivial. A few of the actions, considered by the Judicial Fitness Commission to be violations of state ethics rules, are handing his business card to a soccer referee who had asked for it; hanging displays of memorabilia honoring the service of American military veterans on the walls outside his office; and even hanging pictures of former presidents of the United States. (To review the 44 page document which combines both the commission’s complaint and Judge Day’s answer, affirmative defenses and counterclaims, please click here)
Now the Attorney General of Oregon has filed a criminal indictment based on the false allegation that Judge Day knowingly aided and abetted a felon (one of the veterans in his Vet Court) in possessing a firearm. The charges are false and independent witnesses have stated that Judge Day did no such thing. Nevertheless, it appears that the Attorney General Rosenblum wants Judge Day punished for simply standing for his First Amendment rights. It is clear that Judge Day, and those like him, have enraged the ill-liberal left. (To see Ellen Rosenblum’s final campaign email, click here)
The onslaught against Judge Day began with the Commission’s allegations filed back in June of 2015. Most of the accusations range from insignificant to trivial. A few of the actions, considered by the Judicial Fitness Commission to be violations of state ethics rules, are handing his business card to a soccer referee who had asked for it; hanging displays of memorabilia honoring the service of American military veterans on the walls outside his office; and even hanging pictures of former presidents of the United States. (To review the 44 page document which combines both the commission’s complaint and Judge Day’s answer, affirmative defenses and counterclaims, please click here)
Judge Day’s Decision to not Perform Weddings
One serious charge lies at the heart of the complaint against him: that his decision to excuse himself from performing same sex marriages violated his duty as a judge. Presiding at weddings is something that state court judges are permitted to do, but it is not required, and it is not part of a judge’s core responsibilities.
Many judges do not perform weddings at all, and Judge Day decided to make that his policy as well, in the fall of 2014. He instructed his staff to be helpful to those who called seeking a same sex wedding by referring them to other judges who gladly perform them. For Judge Day, performing such ceremonies is contrary to his deeply held religious beliefs, and he believes that his First Amendment rights of free exercise of religion, free speech and freedom of association give him an unquestioned right to decline to perform such marriages. Judge Day’s policy does not in any way affect the right of same-sex couples to be married in Marion County, Oregon. Such weddings are readily available to all.
Many judges do not perform weddings at all, and Judge Day decided to make that his policy as well, in the fall of 2014. He instructed his staff to be helpful to those who called seeking a same sex wedding by referring them to other judges who gladly perform them. For Judge Day, performing such ceremonies is contrary to his deeply held religious beliefs, and he believes that his First Amendment rights of free exercise of religion, free speech and freedom of association give him an unquestioned right to decline to perform such marriages. Judge Day’s policy does not in any way affect the right of same-sex couples to be married in Marion County, Oregon. Such weddings are readily available to all.
Religious Liberty under Attack
The unmistakable message in the Commission’s complaint is that anyone who has a personal, religiously-based objection to same-sex marriage is to be forced to make a public display of approval or else suffer public condemnation and official sanction.
In November of 2015, Judge Day and his legal team defended against the Commission’s complaint in a two-week hearing. In Oregon, the Commission assumes most all of the major roles contained in the American system of justice at the trial level; as such, the commission acts as the investigator, the prosecutor, the trial judge, and the trial jury. That’s right – the same nine people who charge a judge with a violation hire a prosecutor, and then sit as both the judge and the jury on that same case. Additionally, the commission’s rules governing the process do not afford the accused judge procedural and substantive protections afforded litigants in other cases.
In November of 2015, Judge Day and his legal team defended against the Commission’s complaint in a two-week hearing. In Oregon, the Commission assumes most all of the major roles contained in the American system of justice at the trial level; as such, the commission acts as the investigator, the prosecutor, the trial judge, and the trial jury. That’s right – the same nine people who charge a judge with a violation hire a prosecutor, and then sit as both the judge and the jury on that same case. Additionally, the commission’s rules governing the process do not afford the accused judge procedural and substantive protections afforded litigants in other cases.
Lack of Due Process
Most of those who attended the entire nine-day hearing concluded that Judge Day’s team countered every single charge, despite not being allowed to present certain witnesses and evidence. Originally, the Commission’s case was to take four of the nine days, with Judge Day being allotted five days to present his evidence. Attendees observed that the Commission’s attorneys were not organized or efficient and Judge Day’s team had to cut back on the number of witnesses in an effort to keep within the Commission’s nine-day timeline. The Commission ran out of time and requested that their attorney and Judge Day’s lawyers submit closing arguments in writing rather than argue on the record.
The “Already Decided” Phenomenon
In late January of 2016, the Commission issued its “Opinion” recommending that Judge Day be removed from his position. The Commission found he violated the ethics cannons on 8 of the 13 counts they alleged. The 48 page document does not even mention the mass of evidence produced to counter the Commission’s case – it is as if Judge Day did not even put on a case. ( Click here for the “Opinion”) The Commission even found him in violation of certain acts which were never alleged in the complaint – an act which Judge Day’s lawyers have asserted violates the Commission’s own rules. ( Click here for Judge Day post-opinion Motion to Strike)
Ethics Case: The Next Step
We hope you’ll agree that the Commission’s “findings” turn fundamental constitutional rights on their head, and that you’ll help Judge Day defeat this effort to overturn those rights.
Judge Day’s ethics case before the Oregon Supreme had oral arguments heard on June 14th, 2017, in Salem. So many of Judge Day’s supporters showed up that the overflow room was full.
In late 2017, the Oregon Supreme Court did allow the official record to be supplemented with additional evidence. Megan Curry, Judge Day’s former clerk, admitted to the Oregon Department of Justice that she was dishonest about her relationship with the State’s main witness, Navy Seal Brian Shehan. Contrary to her testimony that she and Shehan were “just friends,” Curry admitted that they were having sex during the time Shehan was a probationer in Judge Day’s court. A recent article in PJ Media documents the revelation. Unlike Judge Day, Megan Curry was not charged by the state with “Official Misconduct.” One wonders why?
Judge Day’s ethics case before the Oregon Supreme had oral arguments heard on June 14th, 2017, in Salem. So many of Judge Day’s supporters showed up that the overflow room was full.
In late 2017, the Oregon Supreme Court did allow the official record to be supplemented with additional evidence. Megan Curry, Judge Day’s former clerk, admitted to the Oregon Department of Justice that she was dishonest about her relationship with the State’s main witness, Navy Seal Brian Shehan. Contrary to her testimony that she and Shehan were “just friends,” Curry admitted that they were having sex during the time Shehan was a probationer in Judge Day’s court. A recent article in PJ Media documents the revelation. Unlike Judge Day, Megan Curry was not charged by the state with “Official Misconduct.” One wonders why?
A Political Vendetta?
On November 17, 2016, the Oregon Department of Justice filed an indictment against Judge Day alleging that he had committed two felonies – aiding and abetting a felon in the possession of a firearm. The indictment also added two misdemeanors based on the firearm charges – official misconduct. The maximum sentence Judge Day faces if convicted is 12 years in prison. ( Click here to see the indictment)
It seems clear that the Commission failed in its task of driving Judge Day from his position on the court. The Oregon Attorney General is now attempting to do the same. Judge Day’s legal team strongly believes the DOJ will fail in its attempt to criminalize Judge Day’s charitable actions toward the disabled veteran in question.
The jury trial in Judge Day’s criminal case has been reset numerous times, but is now supposed to start on April 17th, 2018. It is estimated to last two weeks or more.
It seems clear that the Commission failed in its task of driving Judge Day from his position on the court. The Oregon Attorney General is now attempting to do the same. Judge Day’s legal team strongly believes the DOJ will fail in its attempt to criminalize Judge Day’s charitable actions toward the disabled veteran in question.
The jury trial in Judge Day’s criminal case has been reset numerous times, but is now supposed to start on April 17th, 2018. It is estimated to last two weeks or more.
The Cost of Defending Liberty
It has been an expensive battle with Judge Day’s legal fees totaling over $900,000 as of February 2018. DefendJudgeDay.com has been very helpful in providing funds to fight this battle. The ethics case could potentially go to the U.S. Supreme Court based on Judge Day being denied his First Amendment liberties. That will only be possible if people who share Judge Day’s desire to vindicate the rights of religious conscience will help support the legal battle to prevent the evisceration of these rights.
With the November 2016 indictment, Judge Day has faced even more legal expenses. We don’t believe that the state should prevail in its attempt to put Judge Day in prison because his legal team doesn’t have the funds to fight this battle. We believe that Judge Day can and will defeat this indictment.
The State of Oregon has over-reached in its attempt to bring down a good and honorable man. By criminally charging Judge Day, the state may be giving his legal team the vehicle it was denied before the Commission – the right to obtain the evidence about who is really behind these injustices.
With the November 2016 indictment, Judge Day has faced even more legal expenses. We don’t believe that the state should prevail in its attempt to put Judge Day in prison because his legal team doesn’t have the funds to fight this battle. We believe that Judge Day can and will defeat this indictment.
The State of Oregon has over-reached in its attempt to bring down a good and honorable man. By criminally charging Judge Day, the state may be giving his legal team the vehicle it was denied before the Commission – the right to obtain the evidence about who is really behind these injustices.
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