Hon. John Thomas Carr See Rating Details
Associate Judge
Circuit Court
Cook County
Cook Judicial Circuit
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Attorney Average Rating:   2.0 - 10 rating(s)
Non-Attorney Average Rating:   1.0 - 14 rating(s)
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General Rating Criteria

* 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=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters (1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge (1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling (1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)


Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation (1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail (1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions (1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage (1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage (1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage (1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)


Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation (1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions (1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination (1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)
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What others have said about Hon. John Thomas Carr


Comments


Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL3994
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
If the devil or Jesus don’t get u ill b here

Litigant

Comment #: IL3938
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge John Thomas Carr is on the alleged criminal Michael Madigan clout list. Also, Carr pays homage to the alleged criminal 14th Ward Alderman Ed Burke. It is common knowledge that to be a judge in Chicago and Cook County you must be politically sponsored by the above alleged criminals. Also, Carr is not qualified to be a judge since he received his seat through nepotism where he continues on destroying families lives. Furthermore, it has been my experience as a city of Chicago employee that political foot soldiers such as Judge Carr have to return political favors. This is why I believe judge John Carr has done everything in his power to destroy my relationship with my daughter. It is within the court records that the mother is mentally ill. The Guardian Ed Litem recommended a mental evaluation of the mother where Carr denied the petition and allowing the minor child’s health to deteriorate. I am a city of Chicago employee that is a Whistle-blower against the above alleged criminal’s political organization (the Chicago Law Department) and or judge John Carr’s clout. I further believe Carr is a racist whereas an American African Cuban such as myself will not have a fighting chance against his WHITE X. I believe that Judge John Carr is the perfect example of a corrupt and broken American judicial system!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL3852
Rating:1.0
Comments:
I was a third-party whiteness of this judge’s work at several public hearings. This judge violated several person’s constitutional rights, and overall was awful and unjust.

Litigant

Comment #: IL3813
Rating:1.0
Comments:
When I had my divorce he was completely Biassed against me simply because I was a black man, at times I felt like he Litigating for my ex wife. And that he was completely one sided and even thow I Ultimately won my case and gained custody of my two children i still felt disrespected by him, saying that ((he has overturned court orders before)) like I was just an unfit parent who got lucky with his decision, even though he knew that he had no choice but to grant me custody of my kids.

Litigant

Comment #: IL3807
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Reversed himself in pre-trial hearings. Allowed opposing attorney to continue after warning he wanted both sides to stop. My attorney should have objected but I had to instead. He wouldn't consider certain arguments in the interest of making the case less complicated. Make sure you have a good lawyer if Carr is your judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL3761
Rating:2.4
Comments:
Judge Carr is wildly erratic and frequently overturns his own orders. He has zero patience and refuses to hear motions or pleadings in a timely manner. If you have him I would file a substitution as quickly as possible.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL3734
Rating:1.7
Comments:
Judge John Thomas Carr sides with abusive fathers and places children in danger.

Judge Carr is, sadly, just like most family court judges. Recent data shows that 1) family courts are excessively reluctant to believe mothers’ abuse claims, resulting in widespread losses of custody to likely abusers, and 2) alienation theory is used in a gender-biased manner to facilitate the denial or minimization of abuse. This phenomenon is global, and generating growing concern in Canada and the UK.

Be very careful before you claim abuse in family court let alone Judge Carr's. Judge Carr is is a self-identified proponent of fathers' rights. Judge Carr will not be concerned for your children. Unfortunately, you will need to learn to "play the game."

Most family court judges do not believe abuse claims. Child sexual abuse claims are only believed 15% of the time when the other parent (usually the father) claims alienation. These matters are not investigated. When Fathers cross-claimed alienation, they were almost 3 (2.9) times more likely to take custody from mothers alleging any kind of abuse. Women lose custody 43% of the time when this happens.

Judge Carr is completely unaware of the damage to our children. He doesn't have to hear them cry that they don't want to go to their father's. He doesn't have to hear them ask why they have to live there with such an angry person. He doesn't have to hear them cry about how they've been hurt. A child's "best interest" can never and will never be safe in the hands of one person with innumerable power. Especially when that powerful person is the peer of one of litigants, and not the other.

Join your local Women's Coalition

Other

Comment #: IL3678
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
He has no parental instincts my son begs not to go to his fathers and this judge lets my sons father change up visitation as he likes not caring about the actual custodial parents work schedule or anything he attacks caring mothers and sides with dangerous fathers abusive fathers saying just don’t do it in front of the kids very narrow minded judge

Other

Comment #: IL3642
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Absolutely the worst Jude ever! He will ruin your life. I am a mother and a profesional . He doesn’t care, he is completely biased and will definitely volare your rights. This app is highly self righteous and unethical. This is what white privileged looks like. He is a disgrace to his profession and all of the unethical things he does will catch up with him. Most lawyers bow down to him and are very intimidated by him. He has his favorite lawyers and then the rest he show no regard for.
He needs to be reprimanded for his abuse of power and taking away rights from great parents. I hope justice is one day served against him when he abuses his power with the wrong person.
I have looked into reporting him, but these judges get away with murder! Literally. His term is up in 2023 and people need to make sure he is never re- elected.
You have no choice on the the judge you get , but try and stay away from cook county family courts .. they are the biggest mess.
Believe me and read all the comments below. And I am a woman

Litigant

Comment #: IL3576
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Everything written below about Judge Carr matches my experience. He is biased against fathers. He ignores facts. And he plays with other people's lives and money as if he were playing monopoly. He is a horrible judge and by extension a horrible human being.

For any fathers fighting for a more equitable split of child support, please be cautioned, if you can get something you can live with in a settlement, it will save you legal fees, stress, and heartache. Judge Carr went above and beyond our worst case outcomes.

Note: This was before the revised income sharing model went into effect. I would hope its better now, but I very much would avoid taking a chance with him again if i can.

My child is 14.5 years old...I'm keeping my fingers crossed that nothing comes up for 3.5 years!

Other

Comment #: IL3480
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge carr is biased, does not believe in equal parenting time. My exwife has continued to allienate the child, he does nothing! I had several contempt petitions out, of her breaking the court orders, he could care less! I went prose, he told her, you would like some legal fees wouldn't ya. When we finally went to trial 2 1/2 years later, her continually breaking court orders, after not even an hour of being on the stand, he stopped the trial and said he kind of knew how he was going to rule, so we could each meet with him and the lawyers or we could continue on. I feel like my due process rights were taken away, and if I wanted to continue he would rule against me. I don't think Judge Carr reads anything,maybe there is a medical condition that he won't disclose, he always asks the lawyers to fill him in, or pulls them into chambers. Judge Carr will repeat his stories over again, how long he has been married, he coached his daughters, his favorite song is by the eagles get over it. He would not look at child support, my ex makes over 15,000 more then she did when the judgemt was written, she has the option yo work 40 a week and will only work 30. At 30 per hour that is an additional 15,500 a year she can make. I make less then her. Also I'm available to watch our child for free as childcare, I set my own schedule, self employed. Instead we have to pay her mom 160 a week, it was 240. After and before care is 86. She watches him 9hours a week, 45weeks out of the year and again I'm his father for free, is him spending more time with his father not more important? Judge car hss also skipped other fathers due process, blocked fathers from seeing there children on unfounded dcfs claims. Why is Trust in God in his court room? Fathers and children are committing suicide because they are being seperated
from each other. Mothers no matter how bad keep custody and the children die in there custody. Illinois stands to loose money in grants if the law is changed to 50/50, they use the child support system to profit. Judges, lawyers, gals, psychologists, even foster parents are a crime syndicate looking to profit off of parents and childrens pain. They are not in thed best interest of the child!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL3436
Rating:1.0
Comments:
If you are represented by an attorney, move to have Judge Carr substituted as of right. If you are pro se, do not appear before Judge Carr under any circumstances. Move for substitution of right and do not let him rule on anything before you do.

Judge Carr does not understand what due process is. He will not let you speak or present motions. There is also a very high likelihood he will violate your rights and the children's rights without you knowing it.

He violated my rights totally, and broke Rule 62(A) of the Canons of Judicial Conduct by entering an order without notice or motion, and refused to declare it void and vacate it twice. He is simply out of control and unaccountable.

Everything that the previous commenters have posted is accurate. He is a disgrace to the domestic relations division, totally washed up and needs to be disciplined and preferably removed from the bench.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL3428
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Where to start? I agree with most of the posts I’ve read. First court date he said I did not file an appearance and where was my attorney. I told him I’m retired and working part time and I couldn’t afford one. He said “work overtime”.
I’ve rthe next year he never gave me the opportunity to speak. He granted my ex’es attorney motions and gave her every penny I made. He never let me SPEAK, because I’m sure , I didn’t have an attorney. How dare I come in without one. I’m broke! My ex abandoned our daughter and our residence. I paid every bill and raised my daughter. He made me pay every bill. Let her live Scott free in the house.
Never asked about my daughter. Not once. Biased as hell and totally unprofessional.
Did a little research. He’s a Madigan’s boy so that would explain him being the way he is. Karma please!

Litigant

Comment #: IL3424
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
If this man is married, I pity his wife and family. Who appointed Judge Carr, and based on what "qualifications"? Removing all bias, I must assert that this is not someone that belongs in Domestic Court- put him on Criminal or something. He lacks the acumen and empathy to rule in the capacity to which he has been appointed.

Litigant

Comment #: IL3423
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Judge Carr is anything but "honorable". While he granted my motion, I watched him preside over other cases and I fear what is next. He is arrogant, unprofessional and seemingly lacks reasonable qualifications to hold his position. I have heard from others that he is considered in top 3 of "the worst" and it is not necessarily biased one way or another, but rather he is just unqualified. Again, I witnessed him in action- he is not fit for his role.

Litigant

Comment #: IL3411
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Associtate Judge Carr has continually made decisions without knowing the facts and sided with the other attorney, I believe, because I was pro se. Any opportunity I had to defend myself, was interrupted without a chance to speak. My relationship with my children was deemed "toxic" without any foundation or indication from the children, only hearsay from the attorney and the children's mother. I have effectively been removed from my children's lives over hearsay, which I thought was something a court of law did not take as fact. He should be removed from the bench due to his decisions being based on falsehoods.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL3388
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Judge Carr is a loose cannon. He shoots from the hip without having conducted due diligence, is arrogant and temperamental. Carr rules by opinion and his own personal bias, without any regard for facts of the case or . He is unpredictable, and demonstrated no acumen for following proper judicial procedure in accordance with IL divorce law statutes.

Other

Comment #: IL3214
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Judge Carroll should be removed from the bench! Everything that I've read about him is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! He says it's all about the children. HA! That's crap. It's all about the mother! And don't come in his room without a lawyer either because you will be belittled. He also talks about his daughter owning a daycare and how expensive it is. I'm all for the respect for judges but, he gives all judges a bad name

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL2600
Rating:1.0
Comments:
My experience with Associate Judge Carr is that he never reads documents presented to him, he can not justify his decision with facts of the case, and he gets too emotional when you question his decision. For the last two years, I have been in front of Associate Judge Carr twice and have written five letters requesting on how my ex-wife is entitled to maintenance. He still cannot explain it and gets mad when I ask. This is clearly an abuse of power and he should not be on the bench.

Other

Comment #: IL2599
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Overrides the law and makes it up as he goes along. Thinks he’s God. Could care less about children’s welfare, only cares about the poor mother who committed adultery and destroyed a family. The arrogance is disgusting.

Other

Comment #: IL2592
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Will not read evidence presented by a parent who is Pro Se - even if the evidence includes abuse of the child by the mother.

Other

Comment #: IL2475
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Takes parenting out of the hands of parents. Doesn’t listen, read briefs or follow case law. Claims he is a family man who would do anything for his. But will destroy the families who stand before him!! The guy is off his rocker! Speaking with other judges in his field, they have no respect for him and think he is incompetent. Needs to be removed from the bench. His bias overshadows what a judge is supposed to do. Nothing fair about this guy!

Other

Comment #: IL2020
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Totally horrible. Never really wanted to hear the facts or do anything that was equitable. He has a predetermine formula to make you go away and even if you go through the process has not interest in changing his mind. Sad that these are people's life's that he doesn't want to spend the time on. Retire my man, the game has passed you by

Other

Comment #: IL1942
Rating:1.0
Comments:
ASSOCIATE Judge Carr has to be one of the worst associate judges I have ever seen. He does not read depositions, nor looks at any evidence presented to him. He did not take any recommendations from previous Judges in my case and has made his own decision based upon emotions. When I asked how my ex-wife qualified for maintenance, he could not answer the questions and just said she did. He made a $300,000.00 decision and felt he did not have to give an answer. I believe that Associate Judge Carr makes his decisions upon the empowerment of his office and any citizen who questions him about it will feel his emotional wrath. I have no problem discussing the above items and provide supporting documentation.

Tom Smyth (case: 14D63 Circuit Court Cook County Room 1608).

Tom Smyth (case:

Other

Comment #: IL1456
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Not only was he late, he took his time getting ready. When it finally came time to grant divorce he made it seem like it was an inconvenience for us to even be in court. His directions were unclear and quite frankly it made the divorce process worse than it already is.

Other

Comment #: IL1299
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Carr told the opposing attorney that she would always be right, even when she cited law incorrectly, because she was running for Judge. He took the side of colleague over the truth.

Other

Comment #: IL1298
Rating:1.0
Comments:
He was very insensitive to my domestic case. He literally humiliated me in front of the respondent. He allowed the respondent to walk close to me, talk over me, inturpt him, and disrespect the court. This judge abused his power and authority and totally practiced sexism and I was the victim. He was totally rude to me, every time I asked to to speak he told me no! We'll be with you in a second, as in the respondent and him. He and the respondent held full conversation on my expense, he was totally on the the respondent side, and acted as though he didn't want to give me a restraining order nor a divorce, he didn't even let me establish a history of abuse before granting only a 6 month restraining order! I was very disappointed in the judge behavior and disgusted at the legal system! The scarification of my divorce from my abusing partner wasn't even joyous because of this awful experience.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL776
Rating:1.1
Comments:
This judge is very biased against males, and alluded to some connection to and bias for the legal aid clinic. He should be removed from the bench.

Litigant

Comment #: IL626
Rating:10.0
Comments:
In pre-trial conferences for a divorce he was very no-nonsense and respectful to both sides making it abundantly clear that behavior would not impact his decision on a settlement and that it was all a math formula and that was it... no fault state and he is obliged to that and would not veer from the requirements the state puts on him in that regard. Much more fair than other judges in pre-trial conference that basically say, "If I were to settle this today this is what I would decide" He won't do that. No. He winsomely encourages parties to come to a settlement of their own accord repeating "If I have to make the decision someone is always unhappy so you really want to decide this between the two of you." You really have no idea how he would have decided if you had gone to trial. He shined above every other family judge I have been before in that he does not sit there in a superior stance looking down on you. He has no airs about him at all. I can say this of his attitude in settlement matters. We will see if he changes when dealing with an OP next. I will say he insisted on the OP hearing occurring after the finalization of the divorce saying if it fell into the lap of another judge he did not want the accused to have their settlement impacted by a swayed opinion of behavior that could occur with another judge. He didn't say it was because he wanted to disarm the accuser, however, he just really felt strongly about the no-fault laws in our state and wanted to be certain this was handled correctly in light of that.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL205
Rating:8.4
Comments:
Very practical and his experience in the field of family law adds to his credentials as a judge