Defending Arizona Judge
 
Letter to the Editor
Mesquite Local News - Mesquite, Nevada
 
This letter is directed to all those who want a recall campaign to have Judge Mitchell Kalauli removed from the bench in Mohave County.

How many of you have witnessed this fine judge in action on the bench?

I have had that honor several times, as a witness and as a parent.

The majority of the defendants in his courtroom have been from the Colorado City area.

Judge Kalauli is concerned for the victims and the rehabilitation of defendants and not the almighty buck.

His sentences are creative, fair and life changing.

I have seen him teach passive parents of out of control minors lessons that they won't soon forget.

In one instance, the minor was charged with curfew violation and consumption.

The judge sentenced the young man to house arrest for 60 days.

If the minor was to be outside the house, even in the yard, he was to be tethered to a parent.

This sentence taught the parents to know where their children are at all times and imagine the embarrassment of a teenage boy having to be tied, by the wrist, to his parent just to go to the grocery store.

In another instance, he sentenced a "superior to women" (obviously polygamist) young man to do the dinner dishes and the laundry for his large family for 60 days; woman's work.

Another young man was sentenced to pick up trash on the highway and work at the landfill.

People with addictions have been sentenced to rehab facilities where they can get the help they need.

I have witnessed this judge give parents his private cell phone number if the minor defendant did not obey his order.

Judge Kalauli not only acts as the judge but as a probation officer.

Offenders sentenced to probation are ordered to check in with him on a regular basis so he can keep track of their progress.

Of course, Judge Kalauli would prefer the court be located in Colorado City.

The majority of the offenders are from that area, with the exception of speeders on I-15.

He has made his home in that area of Arizona and his children attend school there.

How many of you would want a four hour commute to work and back each day?

Judge Kalauli is a fine and honorable judge who truly cares about helping these defendants get their lives straightened out.

He is more concerned about helping people than bringing in revenue.

So, before you jump on the soapbox wanting this fine judge recalled, I suggest that you spend a few hours in his courtroom and think about what's more important, helping people or money.

-Sherry King
 
MesquiteLocalNews.com
Originally published November 4, 2009
 
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