Evening star., 1940-09-29
Arlington Justice
Hit for Defending
Criminal Cases
Boord Member Says He
Pleads Before Judge
Who Appointed Him

under fire by members of the County
Board last night for defending Grim
inal cases brought before the judge
who appoints him to office.
Edmund D. Campbell who pre-
eented the matter to his associates,
suggested that unless the situation
is corrected this board might then
we'll consider whether it should ap-
prove the payment nl further public
funds to the assistant trial justice
under existing circumstances"
In three-page statement, which
was entered in the minutes of the
meeting after the board deferred
action pending developments" Mr..
Campbell asserted that Judge Jones,
who was appointed by Trial Justice
B. M Hedrick, during the past six
months has represented the great
majority" of persons charged with
numbers or gambling law violations
who employed counsel.
Judge Jones also on OCCASION
In his capacity as judge-has fixed
the bail bond Of numbers" opera
tor for whom he has later appeared
as defense attorney. Mr.. Campbell'S
communication declared.
System Called "Intolerable"
And on occasion. il continued.
when clients case has been called
for trial and witnesses for the prose-
cution have appeared, summoned
at public expense, Judge Jones has
continued the case. stating that he
was attorney for the defendant,
until Judge Hedrick could hear it at
later date. at which time Judge
Jones would act as attorney for the
defendant in the trial
Mr.. Campbell asserted that "ob-
Viously under such circumstances
the police have not felt that they
should ask Judge Jones tacting in
his capacity as judge to issue
search warrant against suspected
numbers operators who the police
think are or might thereafter be-
come his clients y -
Jones Hasn't Read Statement.
Judge Jones. who was out of the
county yesterday, was reached by
telephone by The Star last night
and declared:
Il have heard reports of Mr..
Campbell issuing a statement. but
have not personally seen it and I
don't believe I am in position at
this time to comment fully.
Il will say, however, that from
the reports 1 have heard of the
T
represented any case in court under
the circumstances alleged
Efforts to reach Judge Hedrick for
comment yesterday afternoon and
last night were unavailing.
Mr.. Campbell said he realizes the
assistant trial justice is not full
time public officer. and that 1t might
be unfair to require him to refrain
altogether from practice in the Trial
Justice Court, but added that it also
is true that the system is in
tolerable" and that at least the as
sistant trial justice should not act
as attorney defending criminal cases
before the Judge who appoints him.
Chew "Subscribes 100 Per Cent.
Board Member F. Freeland Chew.
after Mr. Campbell had read the
statement, stated that Il subscribe
100 per cent to the facts as set forth
by Mr.. Campbell' and said that
the gross improperly in the man.
ner of court procedure should be
eliminated"
IT'S strange" Leo Lloyd inter-
posed that the Bar Association
hasn't taken any action. Are they
cognizant of that?"
Il think they are Common
wealth's Attorney Lawrence w.
Douglas, who was attending the
meeting. declared.
Mrs. Elizabeth Magruder. board
chairman, said the Campbell state
ment was "a timely piece of infor-
nation" and expressed the belief
that there should be some action"
do YOU have resolution with
your statement?" she asked Mr..
Campbell.
Not at this time" the latter
answered.
CampbeIl's Statement.
The statement reads as follows:
"Our Trial Justice Court has eX-
elusive original jurisdiction of mis-
demeanors in the county. including
prosecutions for gambling. charges
of drunken driving and alleged vio-
lations of county ordinances. The
court is composed of two judges,
Judge Hedrick. who was elected by
the people. and Judge Jones. who
was appointed by Judge Hedrick as
assistant trial justice and who is
paid from the public treasury on
warrants approved by this board.
Either one of these judges may sit
In the trial of any given case. In
addition to trying cases. each is
charged with the duty almost daily,
Of issuing warrants for arrests in
proper cases. including search war
rants, and of fixing and approving
bail bonds, under which persons
charged with crime may be released
from Jail pending trial
"Our police department is making
every effort. I am convinced, to
prevent organized crime and racke-
teering from getting foothold in
Arlington County. One of the most
dangerous forms of this racketeer-
ing is the so-called numbers rack
ct and our police are trying their
best to prevent the numbers kings
from getting a foothold here In
order to get evidence of violations
Of this low 1t is almost essential for
the police to obtain search warrants
from time to time. to catch and
search the cars of suspected viola
tors The trial justice (or the as
sistant trial JUSTICE, in proper cases,
is ordinarily charged with the duty
of issuance of such search warrants.
Has Continued Cases.
'But in Arlington County during