Sam R. Cummings

He is the worst judge sitting on a bench and truly doesn't care if people are innocent - he pushes for guilty - pushes for pleas that are unfair and truly has no remorse for putting innocent people in prison. I agree he has his mind made up before every entering court - and I only wish I could find his dirty laundry - all I ever asked of him was to give a chance to someone who is innocent and knew nothing of the law - had a bad attorney and now that we have evidence of innocence all we need is for him to grant evidentiary hearing - but he knows the truth and he doesn't want to hear it - he should not be on the bench and a good reason that Judges should be elected and not allowed to sit for life - if you look at his statistics he is like the hanging judge - more than anyone in the rest of the US - maximum sentences and so uncalled for - never wished so hard for someone to find something to bring him down. If he did his job and cared about justice that would be different.

A truly brilliant and patient judge, but one who is not afraid to make hard rulings. When he does rule, his decisions are based on the facts and the law, not sentiment and this rankles some lawyers who don't have legitimate claims. That is likely the source of any negative comments. He is patient and well-humored but he expects, and deserves, respect for the court.

He is the most unfair judge I have ever seen - he has mind made up before he ever takes the bench and refuses to see truth if it whacked him up side the head. He should be removed from the bench and maybe someone will find a way to do it - I am sure he has dirty laundry and when you have a judge that takes a first time offense from someone who was innocent and does what he did - all I know is he has a lot of bad decisions to make up for -

Have never seen him go below the top of the Guidelines, and frequently departs upward without notice. Sentences are well above those imposed by any judge on similar facts. Gets angry at any attorney for advancing any argument on behalf of the client. Expects every client to plead guilty and forfeit every conceivable error. Does not care if he is reversed, and resolves every conceivable issue against the defense, whether or not its pushed by the government.

I have appeared before Judge Cummings in death penalty habeas proceedings. He is a no nonsense type judge and very conservative. He runs his courtroom and his cases his way. That said, Judge Cummings was consistent in these traits and you always knew what was expected of you.