Above the Law

courtesy of http://jamiefavreau.wordpress.com/




Three hundred million plus people love the free access social network better know as Facebook. I have friends that would love to be on it 24/7. It has gotten so popular that my last job forbid any Internet use other than work related. The company even went so far as to send memos directly banning Facebook and other like sites. I am sure other companies have similar polices. Furthermore, some military installations have blocked all sites they feel service members don't need to access at work.

So if the average person has such a hard time accessing his/her favorite site at work; why so is it so easy for a judge? (courtesy Advance File Photo)


Matthew A. Sciarrino, a criminal court judge, was not only surfing but posted play by play of court proceedings.

What is the world coming to?

I would hope he was paying attention to the trial but only he knows that.

His Facebook page was discovered and now he is being transferred to Manhattan. From Stanton Island to Manhattan seems like a good thing to me but who knows. I don't think relocation is the answer to this problem. Some one should monitor his laptop during work. One source says that judges need a laptop to look up statutes and such. Maybe his favorite site should be blocked so he isn't tempted.

Several insiders state that it's punishment enough to have to commute to Manhattan. I know that if I was caught surfing the net and posting sensitive information about my job for 300 million people to see; the punishment would be a little more severe.

Matthew Sciarrino has not given a statement about the postings or his relocation. I don't think there is any good reason he needs Facebook during work. If he is bored, he should look for a new job. The people presenting in his courtroom should be given the attention they deserve in their case.

Most likely Sciarrino will continue social networking on the job. Maybe he will be a little more cautious by just browsing his friends profiles instead of posting. But nothing will happen to him if he is caught again. He is a judge. I think Sciarrino is a lot better at multi-tasking and talking himself out of trouble than most of us .

Maybe we should call Judge Sciarrino to explain why it's OK to use Facebook at work the next time the boss catches us red-handed.


Precious H.