This is prima facie evidence of judicial misconduct.
Unless this judge’s superiors give him a severe punishment, it is worthy of impeachment and removal from office by the congress of the United States.
American Atheists, Inc. would miss a huge opportunity if they do no file a complaint with the state bar, at least, though this is a federal judge.
'Zombie Mohammad' Ernest Perce threatened with jail for releasing audio of trial
Note: Martin was reelected after running unopposed in 2011. He cross-filed with the Republican and Democratic parties with his term expiring in 2018 if this judgement is permitted to pass.
Consider also, the case against this atheist is NOT the first time this robed 'judge' mentioned his military experience/familiarty in the Middle East.
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Also useful these two comments from other blogs which puts the authority of this Magistrate in perspective:
". . .in Pennsylvania, these low-level judges are NOT required to be attorneys. This judge is simply a military cop (and perhaps a former civil cop....I'm not sure about that) who was elected by a patriotic (mostly Republican) electorate subject to "soldier sympathy"). Curiously, in this mixed up world of Mechanicsburg, PA, the Chief of Police *is* a lawyer, but the judge is not. Additionally, when the TV reporter wanted to interview the judge, the judge declined, but told the reporter to call the defense counsel, who could speak for the judge!!" link
Eligibility issue confirmed:
Low-level judges such as Magistrates are NOT required to be attorneys. A bachelor's degree and work experience usually constitute the minimum requirements for judges and magistrates, but most workers have law degrees and some are elected [link].
In the State of Pennsylvania, Magistrate Judges have certain rules to follow and Mark Martin either is unfamiliar with these rules or blatantly ignored them as demonstrated below with Rules 2, 4, & 8
Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges2. Magisterial district judges shall respect and comply with the law and shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.
4. Magisterial district judges shall be faithful to the law and maintain competence in it. They shall be unswayed by partisan interests, public clamor or fear of criticism. . .Magisterial district judges shall be patient, dignified and courteous to litigants, witnesses, lawyers and others with whom they deal in their official capacity,. . .
8. Magisterial district judges shall disqualify themselves in a proceeding in which their impartiality might reasonably be questioned . . .(1) they have a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party, or personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts concerning the proceeding;(c) is known by the magisterial district judge to have an interest that could be substantially affected by the outcome of the proceeding;
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Martin consistently references his ME military experience, so in light of his dual allegiance, I'll take it one step further . . .his dual allegiance begs the question about his military service and whether his dual loyalty presented any safety/logistical concerns to our men/women serving with him in uniform. Particularly as he practices (pun intended) law in Pennsylvania, home of another reprehensible representative named Murtha who upended the lives of the Haditha Marines. lan astaslem
P.S. The other comment placed at another blog worth repeating:
". . .wonder if the tautological Mark Martin is his original name? Both these names are derived from the Latin Marcus, which means "belonging to the god Mars". And who is Mars?The god of WAR.
If this name was not deliberately selected to indicate a jihad agenda, then it is a very fine joke.
Where are you getting that, that he's a federal judge? From what I'm reading he's a district judge, a local magistrate. Probably not even a law degree on his wall. Elected, not appointed. DJ's handle "summary offenses," a category of crime less serious than a misdemeanor or felony.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Wouldn't be the first time! :)
He’s not a federal judge; he’s a state court magistrate (in Pennsylvania called a “Magisterial District Judge”).