Michael G Barket

I agree with the earlier comments that Judge Barket has demonstrated serious shortcomings on the bench. In my experience, his demeanor is frequently condescending and unnecessarily rude, even when parties are respectful and well-prepared. In a recent civil case, he was presented with clear, applicable case law and statutory authority. Despite this, he seemed unable or unwilling to connect the legal dots. Rather than engage with the issues meaningfully, he appeared to avoid substantive rulings — telling the parties to submit competing orders to sidestep making decisions that might displease one side or the other.

Totally agree with the other comment that this guy is one of the worst judges, is very condescending and unnecessarily rude. In a civil action Barket was presented with the applicable case law and statutes. He couldn’t make the connection between the case law and statutes. He tries to present as socially classy with his big bowtie, but then you see that he doesn’t follow the law or the procedural rules after a few experiences with him and is clueless. It appears he can’t grasp anything beyond basic the law or legal concepts. Often times Barket doesn’t want to decide a matter as it appears he does not want to offend either party so he tells the parties to meet and confer before the hearing to avoid taking a chance on how he decides. If the matter can’t be resolved outside the courtroom he tells you to summon him from his chambers to stick it to one of the parties because you didn’t resolve without his intervention. It appears he pre-decides matters before the parties argue the issues before him. It also appears he reads nothing in preparation for the hearing. He was typing on his laptop while I was arguing and did not appear focused on the matter being presented to him.

This guy is one of the worst judges. I had a LL / tenant dispute with a motion in front of him with all of the case law in the motion about how everything I was requesting in the MTC should have already been provided since it was required, procedurally, by law. He sided with the LL and said that I was asking for too much. Thankfully I told the LL that I was going to dismiss this Small Claims action and file in a higher court, and they ended up paying me to settle. But... Barket is the worst. He's also very condescending and unnecessarily rude.