I had been warned that judges tend to be biased against pro se litigants, but I never expected to be this disrespected and consistently ignored in the courtroom. After having my attorney resign because I owed the firm $30,000, I had no alternative but to represent myself. From that moment on, I have been the victim of not only judicial prejudice, but harassment by his court reporter. Judge Arthur Tilson in no way has attempted to contain his distaste to the fact that I am representing myself, and has gone so far as to state that I should find another attorney and offer them my home, where I live with my three children, as payment.
At each hearing, the opposing attorney was first to begin speaking, without having to wait for permission. She spoke at length each time without being interrupted. When it came to my "turn" I was never allowed to finish a sentence. I attempted to get court transcripts in proof of this, but the court reporter has three times said he was too busyto transcribe them for me. I went so far as to contact his supervisor, but still have had no results. On the other hand, the opposing attorney came in with a transcript within a week.
My not-soon-enough-to-be ex-husband - owns a cash business. All of the marital cash was invested in it, and it has of course all dissappeared. Even so, Tilson awarded him advance attorneys fees. On top of that the opposing attorney was caught lying in court, as was my husband, but when I filed a motion for sanctions, Tilson said that was "water under the bridge." He then was given an email by the opposition, that was taken completely out of context, and refused to let me explain it.
My children and I have had the electricity turned off, the water shut off, my home in foreclosure, and there are multiple outstanding debts that should have been paid from an escrow account -that resulted from my hard work selling and renovating an investment property. I went into my husbands store, with the blessings of the police since I am technically an owner and found $15,000 in cash in the safe. Tilson ordered me to re turn it! And then the judge gave an additiona $15,000 in advance legal fees to my husband who I had just proven to have money!!
I am consistently made to listen to derisive comments from the Tilson, regarding my self representation. He does not read any of my petitions. He clearly needs to be removed from the bench. I hope others will respond to this forum - and maybe together we can take actions.
