EP 109 Sounding Off

JudgeMental Podcast – Episode 109: "Sounding Off"Hosted by Christine & TreyEpisode SummaryChristine and Trey open with a bittersweet announcement: this is the last week of the JudgeMental Podcast — at least in its current daily format. They reflect on the emotional and psychological toll of deep-diving into family court cases, and make clear that continuing will require the show to become more financially sustainable. The Judge-y app isn't going anywhere, and the website will be updated. Follow the show on Instagram @Judgingthejudges and download Judge-y at judge-y.com.Main Topics1. Trey's Correction on Judge Lauren Ogden Reversal StatisticsTrey clarifies a misstatement from a previous episode: when he cited how many times Judge Ogden had been "reversed," he had actually conflated all negative appellate treatment — including writs granted and emergency relief — with formal reversals by the Court of Appeals. He clarifies that Judge Ogden has fewer formal reversals than Judge Preston but an extraordinarily high number of writs and emergency relief orders, which are not tracked in the same case research databases as reversals.2. Judge Lauren Ogden Appointed to Child Fatality Review PanelSecretary of State Michael Adams has appointed Judge Lauren Ogden as the new chair of the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel for a two-year term. Christine and Trey express serious alarm given Ogden's appellate record, particularly in cases involving children and domestic violence. They discuss the case Hansen v. Work, in which the Court of Appeals reversed Judge Ogden after she promised to hear from children in chambers, then dismissed a petition alleging child violence without hearing a single witness.3. The Pattern of Appellate ReversalsTrey explains the distinction between "episodic" judicial errors (varied mistakes across different areas of law) versus "structural" failures — where a judge is repeatedly reversed for the same type of misconduct. Judge Ogden's record falls into the structural category, particularly around due process violations, failure to make evidentiary findings, and ignoring appellate directives. The Court of Appeals has not just reversed her — in some cases it has directed her to enter specific rulings because the evidence was so clear.4. Reflections on Family Court & The Emotional TollChristine opens up about the personal weight of reporting on these cases, including holding confidential information about children who have lost their lives after being placed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. She references the book Chaos by Tom O'Neill as a parallel to her experience going down difficult investigative rabbit holes.5. The Judge-y App & What's NextJudge-y, the app that empowers the public to rate and review judges, is not going away. Trey notes that he has been processing judge-addition requests and clarifies the app's policy: retired judges who are no longer taking appointments are generally not added to the directory. Judges who are retired but still accepting case appointments are still considered active and remain eligible for the platform.Download Judge-y at judge-y.com | Follow: @JudgingthejudgesKey Cases MentionedHansen v. Work – Court of Appeals reversed Judge Ogden after she dismissed a child violence petition without hearing witnesses, despite having promised to interview children in chambers.Resources & Links🔗 Download the Judge-y app: judge-y.com📲 Follow on Instagram: @Judgingthejudges📧 Contact Secretary of State Michael Adams: [email protected]📚 Chaos by Tom O'Neill (referenced by Christine)LEGAL DISCLAIMERThe content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal advice. Engaging with this content does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the hosts, guests, or their firms. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any law firm, company, or organization. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the information presented. Any reliance on the information in this podcast is at your own risk. Laws are constantly changing, and every situation is unique. You should always seek the advice of a qualified attorney for your specific legal concerns.