What would you do?

[kimber62372]

Quick scenario: I'm a Judiciary clerk for a court, I'm in charge of all traffic that comes my way. It came to my attention that one of my co-worker's had came into work on a holiday while the office was closed and recalled (removed) a bench warrant for an individual, whom I later found out that she had romantic ties to.

A. NO ONE except a Judge or Court Administrator can recall a warrant (or clerk while in the middle of a court session, when the Judge authorizes it on the record.)

B. This person came in for OVER TIME on a HOLIDAY, which means she got paid to do something ILLEGAL!

My co-worker then scheduled the defendant (AKA her BF) to come into court 2 weeks later while she was the clerk and handled the dispositions and set up a time payment for him as per the Judge.

A. NO court clerk can handle any relatives and or close friends cases...it's a conflict of interest and DOES NOT look good PERIOD!
B. My co-worker has kept her personal affair with this individual a big secret, so she thinks!

Myself and another co-worker knew what she did the last 3 weeks now. An attorney friend of ours advised us that if we did not report her that we could lose our jobs. I lost many nights of sleep over this and came to the conclusion that I had to report her! It was either save her or myself! This co-worker was on vacation when this all spiraled and I had no idea she was going on vacation. I told one Judge and he promised to not mention who told him because I am afraid of retaliation from her and the rest of the office in case this co-worker gets fired. Which I think may happen when she comes back on Monday. I never wanted to intentionally hurt her or get her fired but she is a grown woman and should have known what she did was wrong! The Judge told me what I did was right and to not feel guilty knowing that we were friends for 20 yrs and have worked together for 20 yrs! Do you think I did was morally right? I think I will go cry myself to sleep now.

[autumnsparklemom]

What you did was right. Your co-worker has to pay the consequences. What she did was very wrong. I'm sure the judge will keep his promise.

[linderlizzie]

Quick scenario: I'm a Judiciary clerk for a court, I'm in charge of all traffic that comes my way. It came to my attention that one of my co-worker's had came into work on a holiday while the office was closed and recalled (removed) a bench warrant for an individual, whom I later found out that she had romantic ties to.

A. NO ONE except a Judge or Court Administrator can recall a warrant (or clerk while in the middle of a court session, when the Judge authorizes it on the record.)

B. This person came in for OVER TIME on a HOLIDAY, which means she got paid to do something ILLEGAL!

My co-worker then scheduled the defendant (AKA her BF) to come into court 2 weeks later while she was the clerk and handled the dispositions and set up a time payment for him as per the Judge.

A. NO court clerk can handle any relatives and or close friends cases...it's a conflict of interest and DOES NOT look good PERIOD!
B. My co-worker has kept her personal affair with this individual a big secret, so she thinks!

Myself and another co-worker knew what she did the last 3 weeks now. An attorney friend of ours advised us that if we did not report her that we could lose our jobs. I lost many nights of sleep over this and came to the conclusion that I had to report her! It was either save her or myself! This co-worker was on vacation when this all spiraled and I had no idea she was going on vacation. I told one Judge and he promised to not mention who told him because I am afraid of retaliation from her and the rest of the office in case this co-worker gets fired. Which I think may happen when she comes back on Monday. I never wanted to intentionally hurt her or get her fired but she is a grown woman and should have known what she did was wrong! The Judge told me what I did was right and to not feel guilty knowing that we were friends for 20 yrs and have worked together for 20 yrs! Do you think I did was morally right? I think I will go cry myself to sleep now.

Girl, you were SO right. No matter what the results are, you did right in the eyes of God and the court system as well. It's so hard to do what's right sometimes and you should be proud of yourself.  I'm VERY proud of you.  Be strong!

[Nancy5]

What you did was 100% right.  Like you said, she is a grown woman who knows that was wrong but did it anyway.  No one wants anyone to lose their job, but do you want to possibly lose yours for knowing and not telling?  You did the right thing.

[zeea]

What you did was right. If she did anything wrong, then she got to be responsible for wat she did. If it's not you, then somebody else will find out and tell it to the judge. You don't have to feel sorry for doing the right thing.

[bowrunner]

You did the right thing and I hope it doesn't cost you in the end but sometimes choices are hard.  In your case it would have been really wrong to just turn your back and let it go.

[debidoo]

Listen, this person made a conscious decision to do something wrong and to put her life on the line for a romantic interest.  I'm not saying she wasn't in a heart wrenching position but if he were the right kind of person he would have never allowed her to do what she did.  You had no choice but to blow the whistle on this person.  I know it was hurtful to you but she had a choice you didn't.

[patti4me]

You certainly did the right thing!  She broke way too many rules to just let it go.  Its sad she jeopardized 20 years on a job to help out a bf.  Her job should have meant more to her than that.

[luvh8tragedy87]

You did the right thing. She's responsible for putting herself in that situation, not you. Doesn't mean you won't feel bad since you were friends for 20 years but ultimately you can't lose your job because she did something wrong.

[vickysue]

You did the right thing, who is to say that if she had not been reported what she would have done later on to protect this other person that would have a more serious crime against them. We do not need this kind of person in that job.

[aflyingmonkey]

Ouch!
That definitely needed to be reported, they should have a whistleblower system in place that you would be able to report & kept anonymous.  If knowing has your job & your livelihood in jeopardy, that is your first priority to keep yourself safe.

& as a member of the public, I say thank you for maintaining the integrity of our government.

[BlackSheepNY]

Don't cry over anything.  What you did was right.  For all you know, she's done it before and many times, at that.  I sure wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

[dogsleash]

You did the right thing. it is not worth your job.. I would have done teh same.

[kimber62372]

Thank you all so much!! You ALL made my day because it made me feel so much better knowing that what I did was right! My own mother did not understand what I did in the beginning because she knew this person as well and she has kids and is a single mother BUT now she is seeing it from my eyes (I think!)... I will let you all know the outcome. It's all in God's hands now. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful FC Family! Thank you all again! You were all thanked!

[moonangel]

we can all sit here and tell you that you done the right thing but the only thing  that really matters  is how you feel about what you did