Hon. Richard J. Arcara See Rating Details
District Judge See Comments
W.D.N.Y.  
Average Rating:3.9 - 23 rating(s)
Please send me alerts on this judge
E-mail Address:




Add your own rating

E-Mail Address (will not be displayed)
   
Confirm E-mail Address      
Zip
Occupation
Add a comment only

Ratings

*Temperament:   (1=Awful,10=Excellent)
*Scholarship:   (1=Awful,10=Excellent)
*Industriousness:   (1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
*Ability to Handle Complex Litigation:    (1=Awful,10=Excellent)
*Punctuality:    (1=Chronic`y Late,10=Always on Time)
*Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation:    (1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
*Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation:   (1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Flexibility In Scheduling   (1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)
General Inclination Regarding Bail (1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases, Pre-Trial:   (1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Civil Settlement Discussions:   (1=Least Involved,10=Most Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases, Trial:    (1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases, Sentencing:    (1=Most Lenient,10=Most Harsh)
Typical Discount Off Guidelines for Cooperators:    (1=10%,10=100%)
  Items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating
Comments


Please type what you see below:

    

What others have said about Hon. Richard J. Arcara


Comments


Other

Comment #: 35458
Rating:1.0
Comments:
That man has no respect for human life and mistakes people make. Oh and God forbid u say u made a mistake in front of him during sentencing. I've seen him add years to people's sentences for those 4 words being used. I think he is finally off the bench, but still considered a judge.They need to change that law and make judges retire at certain ages, or at least be vetted regularly after certain ages. In Arcara's case age doesn't play a role, he has always been to harsh and unreasonable.

Other

Comment #: 32705
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Not sure why my last comment was deleted but let me say that Arcara is a senile old coot who twists things to fit the way he views the world. The very thing a judge is NOT supposed to do. If it is a non violent crime and he imposes a very harsh sentence then he is the violent one. I can only hope he is judged himself by our higher power very soon AND ends up in a place much worse than where he has been sending people for a monstrous 31 years. I have no respect at all for that man he is the dirt on my shoe.

Other

Comment #: 32684
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
He’s old he needs to retire doesn’t give fair out come has a temper when things don’t go his way he’s a racist doesn’t like Hispanics or blacks people of color he discriminates they need to investigate his cases for fairness and justice I no sometimes you as a judge have to be tough but remember your human too u bleed just like we do red so next time u reside over a case read it listen to both sides and be partial on your decision keep your comments to your self you where not voted to chair to be god your a human being too don’t use your power to destroy others next time listen to lawyers and there plea

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 24319
Rating:9.0
Comments:
I put a jurisdictionally and procedurally difficult case before him. He anticipated the issues in advance, heard the parties out, and reached a conclusion I would have preferred he not reach, but he did so in a well-reasoned, intellectually honest, and professional manner.

Other

Comment #: 22306
Rating:1.0
Comments:
The most sexist, uninformed jurist; completely out of touch with the 21st century. Time. To. Retire.

Litigant

Comment #: 21768
Rating:1.0
Comments:
The Court should establish A System to screen all existing Judges on their performance - Otherwise, the Lawless and Corrupt will overwhelm our land!

Other

Comment #: 21682
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
It is time for him to retire, has no regard or compassion for people of color, with all the changes in regards to mandatory minimum, totally disregarded, had his decision prepared ahead of time, thought as a judge you make decisions after considering both parties' presentation: defendant and prosecutor.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 21290
Rating:2.2
Comments:
Judge Skretny sentences a guy to 12 months, and then Judge Arcara sentences a guy to 36 months for the same offense. He needs to be fired.

Other

Comment #: 20006
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
OMG, this man is a horrible bigot. I'm heartened that others see this too. If federal trials and sentences were presided over by a panel of judges then the prejudices of a particular judge would be less harmful to litigants because their inclinations would be restrained by other panel members. Racist judges can impose terrible hardships on people and so their decisions should be subject to the scrutiny of other judges before they are rendered - not years later when their rulings are finally reviewed by appellate panels, as is the current procedure.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 19583
Rating:2.1
Comments:
I don't think he reads the papers that are submitted to him. He shouldn't be a judge.

Other

Comment #: 18923
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
he is an awful man....nothing that he decides is fair....

Other

Comment #: 18169
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This is the most bias judge in the country. He is pro government. He is a loser that believes the government is always right. He knowingly sentenced people to harsh when the laws were to stern. He is a follower never setting presidency even when common since would lead him to do so. If it was a law bringing back slavery he would come to court in the western district of new York and on record rule in favor of in forcing slavery. Lucky he is getting old. I hope he burns in hell fir every out of line sentence he gives minority. If your white you will get the low end if not lower It blacks and Spanish the middle is all you can pray for he is a racist.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 12305
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Arcara is a throw-back to when men were men. I conducted two jury trials before him and enjoyed every minute of both trials. Even when he ruled against me, which was often, I believed I was getting his fair opinion. We need more of his type.

Civil Litigation - Govt.

Comment #: 10235
Rating:2.3
Comments:
the sooner this man retires, the sooner justice will be served in the WDNY. he doesn't even make an effort to appear impartial in cases. rumor has it he wasn't much of a lawyer (though it was before my time) and by any standard that has carried foward to the bench.

Other

Comment #: 9826
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I wonder if he knows the meaning of justice or integrity. If you appear before him, don't expect the minimum of fairness (especially when a corruption is involved or he doesn't like you). He can rule the case as outrageously as possible beyond the law with such attitude, "there is nothing you can do." He is the king of the WNY District Court. It's really sad that there is no way to stop him, except impeachment, which is not possible.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 9762
Rating:1.2
Comments:
Some say Judge Arcara is not smart, but in my opinion, he is too clever. He knows how to favor a party without clear evidence. You should not expect a fair procedure and trial if your opponent is in his favor. He can ignore justice without a qualm when he needs. He knows there is nothing you can do.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 9348
Rating:1.8
Comments:
He is not smart enough handling the case. He seemed to concern his reputation, but doesn't know what makes him really to be a good judge. The simple wisdom, impartiality and justice.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 9219
Rating:2.5
Comments:
Arcara is routinely rude and obnoxious to attorneys, particularly when he doesn't understand the issues which, unfortunately is way to often, particularly in civil matters.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 8796
Rating:2.5
Comments:
not the brightest judge in the world and often attempts to cover his lack of knowledge by having temper tantrums.

Other

Comment #: 5558
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Tough. Fair to some. I was surpised to hear his definition of 'mistake' - according to him, it's just not a word. Unfortunately, though he's fair for some first time offenders from what I saw, he lacks compassion for others. I wonder how much of it is because of how tied his hands are when it comes to sentencing guidelines and the laws for some crimes. I have my concerns about equal sentencing with this judge, for good reason.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 5137
Rating:6.3
Comments:
Not a judicial scholar, but tries hard. Somewhat wooden in analysis. Good temperament on the bench, polite to counsel.

Litigant

Comment #: 4524
Rating:9.0
Comments:
His Honor was very fair to us a defendant he was swift and fair and held a high knowledge of the law. His Honor see through crooked prosecution and misleading statements from the prosecution. He is an oustanding asset to our federal government. Nice Job Judge Arcara

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 3600
Rating:9.0
Comments:
Hard working pleasant,conservative but fair.A pleasure to appear before.