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Madoff Victims: "How Can I 'Tell it to the Judge' if He Won't Let Me Speak at Sentencing?"

Posted on: Thursday, 11 June 2009, 09:41 CDT

Before Sentencing Madoff, Judge Denny Chin Could Use a New Video Judge Rating Site to Watch Victims Delivering Their Victim Impact Statements to Him From Around the Globe Via Video Upload.

NEW YORK, June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Madoff victims want to "tell it to the judge." But logistics dictate that Judge Chin must shut-out thousands from the sentencing because many thousands of victims cannot all fit in the courtroom and be heard in one day. Beginning today, RobeProbe.com will host free videos of Madoff victims delivering their victim impact statements in the hopes that Judge Chin may view them. RobeProbe.com is a judge rating site where lawyers and litigants worldwide upload videos of themselves criticizing a judge's judicial performance or telling a judge about the impact of a case. Judges regularly visit the site to see their ratings.

Judge Denny Chin will only hear from the select few to be allowed in his courtroom on June 29th. Inasmuch as Judge Chin granted access to only 50 victims at March 12th's plea hearing, and the courtroom can only hold but so many victims, thousands will not be heard on June 29th. Those victims can still make their voices heard on RobeProbe. RobeProbe.com is inviting all of Madoff's victims to post a short, videotaped victim impact statement to Judge Chin ahead of Madoff's June 29th sentencing. Judge Chin, however, is not required to take judicial notice of these statements. Victims traditionally deliver their impact statements in open court or in writing. But courts are notorious for limiting their statements. As Judge Chin's May 20th Order reveals: "I find that the number of victims makes it impracticable to accord all the victims the right to be heard in person at sentencing...the Court cannot guarantee that every victim who wishes to speak at sentencing will have the opportunity to do so." Judge Chin's Order

When former Fort Lee, N.J. Mayor Burt Ross (who lost $5 million) attempted to make a victim impact statement at Madoff's March 12th plea hearing, Judge Chin did not allow it. Mr. Ross immediately wrote a column on a blog that same day, and entitled it: "What I'd Like to Tell Bernie in Court." Mr. Ross wrote, in part:

"No mercy or leniency should be granted you...[Y]ou should immediately enter the least comfortable federal penitentiary, where you should spend the rest of your days on this earth..."

As Max Marin, founder of RobeProbe.com, bluntly states: "Mr. Ross' blog entry shows Madoff's victims want the judge to see them. Writing him a letter will not give them the same sense of justice. The moms and pops of the world who lost their life savings have as much right to speak to Judge Chin as the uber-rich sitting in court. Whether you lost $100 in Manila or $100 million on the Upper East Side, you want the judge to hear your pain and see your tears. You want Judge Chin to see you as a person. After all, you only get one chance to give a judge a victim impact statement. RobeProbe.com provides this important opportunity for victims to possibly be seen since judges and lawyers are regular visitors to the site."

RobeProbe.com limits uploading to one 5 minute video per victim. This service is free. RobeProbe does not guarantee Judge Chin will watch any video. He is not required to take judicial notice of any video or statement on the site. You must have already videotaped yourself and saved the file on your computer (for best results, use your webcam). To post a video in Judge Chin's rating page you must carefully follow these instructions:

1. Click "Register here" on the top right corner of RobeProbe.com's home page.
2. Follow the instructions and prompts for new registrants.
3. In the homepage, under the words "Lookup a Judge" enter "Chin" as the last name. Then Click on the name Denny Chin from the list that appears.
4. Toward the bottom of the page showing his photo, click on "Rate This Judge." On the rating page, choose only the items that may apply in your case. At the bottom of the rating page click "Send." The page will jump to the video upload section of the site.
5. Once in the video section of the site, follow the posted instructions for uploading a video very carefully. Do not skip any steps.

RobeProbe.com was founded by Max Marin to provide lawyers and litigants the only forum for uploading video critiques and report cards rating the judicial performance of judges and bankruptcy trustees worldwide. It is also the only website hosting judicial election videos for voters to review, rate and critique the judicial incumbents and candidates seeking their votes.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Max Marin, please call 1-877-6-ROBEPROBE or e-mail Max at: info@robeprobe.com.

SOURCE RobeProbe.com

Source: PR Newswire

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