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| Photo Credit: Erik S. Lesser for The New York Times |
My friend at Stoopid Housewives is reporting that the person behind Judge Lane’s bench in the last episode of RHOA was Margaret Dorsey. This explains a few things but not everything. First of all Margaret Dorsey is a judicial officer who performs some duties as a part-time magistrate. There are limits as to what she can perform as described below.
Judicial Officers do not hear contested matters that will result in a final decision unless both sides consent to their hearing the case. They also do not hear contempt cases unless both sides consent. The requirement that both sides expressly consent to use a Judicial Officer in a contested hearing results in a waiver of the right to raise the issue on appeal. In order to preserve the right to raise the issue on appeal, the party would have to object to the use of the Judicial Officer at the time of the hearing. Bennett, supra at 715, 463 S.E.2d at 158-159. By requiring the parties to agree to use the Judicial Officer before the hearing takes place, the Family Division prevents the use of the Judicial Officer from becoming an issue. Actions taken by the Judicial Officers may be subject to review by the assigned Family Court judge. Rooney v. State, 217 Ga. App. 850, 851, 459 S.E.2d 601, 603 (1995). See also O.C.G.A. §9-11-60. (source Fulton County Website )
Keep reading after the jump for what this all means.
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| Photo Credit : Bravo TV |
Essentially what the judicial officer does is to oversee mediation processes during 30-day and 60-day conferences. As I previously posted here court documents indicate that this process continues to be ongoing for Sheree and Bob. The odd thing is that the 30 day, 60 day and 120 day conferences are usually held PRIOR TO A DIVORCE not afterward. But perhaps they occurring during the modification process as well. The 30 day and 60 day conferences are generally led by a Judicial Officer, however they DO NOT GENERALLY OCCUR IN A COURTROOM. So this does not explain the odd situation of the judicial officer sitting at the judges bench. Or the hokey bailiff scene in which Sheree was called in. It could explain why Phaedra Parks was not shown on ANY court documents at the attorney of record. A status meeting is not a hearing and is generally held in a conference room. I suppose Sheree could have been coerced into bringing Phaedra into a status meeting. It does not explain the whole modification of child support papers that Sheree was served with on the show. THAT would most definitely need to go before a JUDGE.
So if Stoopid Housewives is correct, and I have no reason to disbelieve that site, then what we saw was a 30-day status meeting held for television purposes in a courtroom. And even THAT didn’t happen on the TV version because as soon as Bob filed a contempt charge with the court, it was beyond the jurisdiction of the judicial officer unless both parties were willing to waive appellate rights, which Bob would never do.
The fact remains there was no hearing because in order to have a hearing you must have a judge. The fact also remains that Phaedra was not the attorney of record for any hearing. And the fact remains that this proceeding both the real and the fake version is unresolved and a 120 day hearing is on the docket, with Judge Lane for next month.
As for the court’s statement to Stoopid Housewives that the decisions of the judicial officer are “legally binding” is completely irrelevant as all proceedings of the status meeting stalled the moment Bob filed the petition for contempt. Nothing occurred other than setting up a hearing, for a later date. Also, I briefly searched for photo of Margaret Dorsey but became bored as it is happy hour on a Friday night here in Atlanta. I am relying soley on Stoopid Housewives’ information being accurate here. I do know that she is listed as a judicial officer on the Fulton County website, so it seems likely that she was the person on camera.
Is that clear as mud to y’all? Sorry. It’s a bit complicated by legalities. Tell me what you think!
In other news, there is a great story on Bob Whitfield and his recording studio here.
Tell you what I think, I don't even understand what I just read. I think we need to bring in Judge Judy and settle all this mishegas!NJB
MediaFakeOut shows a picture of Judge Lane from court website? and in top is picture of blond women who looks like she could be the lady on the TV that we saw. Hard as it may be to believe MediaFakeOut has huge notice on it site about intellectual property rights which is funny considering how much they steal, guess they don't want their stolen stuff to be stolen.My guess based on what you wrote is that Sheree agreed to fake status hearing with Phaedra for Bravo and maybe Bob was in on it and knew he would be serving a new motion. This way Bravo gets to script their storyline and Sheree doesn't really tell Phaedra all the deets so in Sheree's mind her scams are still secret. Makes no sense but then this is Bravo and these are Real (haha) Housewives. Great story as always.
This is crazy. Just crazy.
No, according to Stoopid Housewives, who I believe, it was an actual matter with Margaret Dorsey presiding. Which means it was the 30 day status meeting. 🙂
the commenters over at SH have gotten totally out of control. Thanks for the additional info
I need to go check that out. I LOVE STOOPID HOUSEWIVES TO BITS! I just interpret the info they have a bit differently. Let me go see if they are railing on me. lol.
Hi Tamara!Saw your post at SH! Think it was cool you went over there ~ Think it was uncool some poster had to be rude, oh well…I wanted to mention Sheree crying on the epi, I wonder what the tears were for?!? I mean do you think she was crying because Phaedra's and the viewers are going to find out the truth and that she actually might owe Bob money?!?!Love you and this site.
I went to SH just now because of y'all. I love that site and the site owner has been EXTREMELY kind to me. I don't really understand what is going on now, but please don't post negative comments there. She has a new twist on the court stuff. That is all. She is not using my stuff at all. She researched her own deal. Please don't post negative things there. This is not a blog war. I really like that site. And she used to like me and I hope she does again!
I keep rereading this to see what I could have said to piss off SH. I admit that I am sort of aspergerish and don't always understanding interpersonal relationships. Did I say something wrong here or there to upset someone at SH? Can ANYONE tell me what I did wrong? I'm seriously confused and saddened.
Tamara, I admire how you're trying to diffuse what really isn't a situation but more of a misunderstanding. You're a classy woman, I hope there are no *ill* feelings on either side because it's evident you enjoy SH and didn't expect any of your loyal followers to accuse them or anyone else falsely. BTW I love your blog. Also I don't believe you did anything wrong, you just happened to post after someone posted a rather negative comment alluding to SH's story being snatched from another site. And judging from some of the responses your site plus a few others might have been confused as just your site, :(. But from all I can tell you were your normal kind self. It seems like a horrible coincidence and misunderstanding.
Oh, I must have missed the placement of my post there. Is that it? I was trying to claim that it was me saying the court room thing was a fake. I thought that SH didn't mention me because she liked me. I just wanted to lay it out there that I was the site that called the drama a fake and that I still stand by it. I am upset that apparently there is an issue. I really don't understand the whole thing I did to upset SH. I have offered to retract whatever upset SH here.I don't want to upset her at all. I don't know what else to do!
Bravo aired a sneak peek for the upcoming episode and the first scene deals with Sheree and Phaedra. I won't say anything on it just just in case those who watch RHoA don't want a spoiler. But anyone who wants to know what happened, it's on their website right now: http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-atlanta/season-4/videos/atlanta-first-look
Tamara,I have never posted there…I saw your link to the SH site and followed it. Started reading the comments and saw it get CRAAAZY! You did nothing…One poster kind of egged it on. I hope the moderator/owner of the site re-reads your post and realizes you were coming from a nice place. Like you I do not understand why they took your comments negatively. Hang in there!
@ Elkaye, thanks!!! I won't say anything either but I'm just loving this, lol. Thnx again.
Tamara you did nothing wrong.I read the site, and personally I think she got offended because you specifically said that it was you and she didn't mention any one particular name. Honestly her indignation was without merit IMO. You've apologized, doesn't seem like she was really receptive to it, but that is neither here nor there. I think you were overly gracious and complimentary and it goes to show that you are a class act.Either way it is much to do about nothing. I enjoy your site throroughly and have no need to look elsewhere. That is the first and probably the last time I'll look at that blog. You report on the housewives with a touch of class I've not seen elsewhere.Kudos and keep up the good work!
Thanks. I really like the SH owner. I would be quite sad if this caused a rift. I believe the whole thing to be staged. She doesn't. I don't know how to change those facts. /sigh
Tamara, you have to stop worrying. You have always given credit where credit is due, you've apologized .. but if they don't want to accept it – you need to realize some will never be gracious enough to either accept the foibles of others – or admit when THEY are wrong.You didn't do ANYTHING.You've got a wonderful little blog here that is starting to get recognized …. and with that will come the boo-birds and people carrying negativity.Also – don't ever back down from protecting your hard work. If someone takes your content without permission, then it's your right to defend that.I found you through Reality Tea – know why?… CAUSE SHE HAS NO PROBLEMS GIVING YOU CREDIT. That speaks VOLUMES of her and how she respects fellow bloggers.You just continue to be Talented Tamara. Continue to give credit where credit is due and more importantly, continue doing a wonderful job giving us the scoops on RHOA. You're doing a great job.
I tried to add a comment about this on SH's blog-but it didn't post , big surprize-NOT!Fact is hon, she very clearly called you out. Then she says she didn't mention you by name?Are you banned there yet?
Tamara, I LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!! your site and you just keep on doing you. You do an Amazing job each and every time. Keep up the Great work, your site is better than the fake show you dish on 😉
And PLEASE will somebody speak on how Kim was doin the whole pot kettle and black thing tonight, she had the nerve to judge Marlo for doing what she just stopped doing, gold digging!!!!!!!!! Hello simple bitch?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!
And will someone pls inform me as to why it seems that Ms Lawrence was bad mouthin Kandi on WWHL tonight?
When are we going to find out what happened between Sweetie and Kim??
Huh what happened to sweetie and Kim…did they finally grow tired if each other….ps I older what he guys say to Kroy in th locker room?
Older should be wonder
Regarding use of J.O. in Fulton County Superior Court: The Family Court there is an extra-judicially, unconstitutionally formed, Separate court. It has it’s own rules. Therefore: Judicial Officers decide just like judges. They have in the past transferred custody of children for no reason, any reason, whatever reason – without evidence, without show cause – ex parte – without hearing both parties.
In order to be heard before a judge, you have to ask it as per ‘Rule 1000-4 Duties’. Look up the Rollins v. Rollins case of Danielle Rollins to find out about the unconstitutionality of this court.
This court judicially trafficks children. That’s how money for Gail Tusan, Judge Lane, and all their successors and the attorneys who vote them into office is generated. It is the most untrustworthy setup ever!