Hon. Christine A. Sproat See Rating Details

Supreme Court
Dutchess County
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Attorney Average Rating:   5.0 - 21 rating(s)
Non-Attorney Average Rating:   2.0 - 6 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)
Comments


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What others have said about Hon. Christine A. Sproat


Comments


Litigant

Comment #: NY8444
Rating:7.0
Comments:
Bottom Line, she got the decision right. Having said that, I thought she was a bit condescending and inattentive. A close family member served as a foreman for one of her juries years ago and kept telling me to have faith. My family member said Sproat is very intelligent and can see through the BS. I was shocked that the frivolous lawsuit against me even made it to court because the plaintiff had no expert testimony. The plaintiff was suing my wife and I for $30k. It was a very long two days at a bench trial that I will never get back. However, the plaintiff was awarded a big fat ZERO. So even though we thought her word choice and reasoning were odd, bottom line- she got it right and for that alone we are thankful.

Litigant

Comment #: NY7669
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge went out of her way to ruin me all to save a crooked law firm Daniels and Porco she even found me guilty of a crime denying me a trial but the constitution wont stop her and then jailed me a blackmail attempt the CJC seems to think that was ok so enough with the system there must be an honest news paper somewhere but it not local these crooks will have to shoot me before I stop trying to expose this above the law crap I will see her behind bars

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY7599
Rating:9.6
Comments:
I Find Hon. Sproat to be a fair and even-handed Judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY7265
Rating:3.9
Comments:
Very quickly takes a position for one side and against the other and sticks to it.The law and the facts don't matter.
Her prejudice shows on the bench. not the sharpest pencil in the jar.

Other

Comment #: NY6618
Rating:1.0
Comments:
This judge denies each and every single motion brought before her by inmates, regardless of the evidence brought before her. She is completely biased and judgmental and seems to have her mind made up prior to reading the motion or article brought to her. At least 2 Attorneys who know of her have told inmates to "Never Ever" go before this judge because she WILL NOT rule in your favor regardless of the situation in question for ruling.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY6073
Rating:1.8
Comments:
I am a mother of 5 and a homemaker for 25 years, filing for a divorce from a physically and emotionally abusive retired nypd officer. I was raised to trust in the justice system and laws of this country. In my 44 years I never questioned that until meeting the unethical and immoral behavior of Judge Sproat, who is neither fit or deserving of the word or title to be called Honorable. During the divorce proceedings, which is still ongoing for almost a year, she immediately sided with my abuser husband, who I have a criminal order of protection and stay away order against. She belittles me and takes any chance to put me down because I do not have a job or higher education. She let my husband take way my only means of transportation for myself and 5 kids. Instead of doing her job and taking neutral stance, she lets my husband play the victim card knowing he has the finances to pay for child support and my restitutions for putting up with 25 years of abuse in marriage. She has not looked at any of my paperwork but takes my husband’s word as fact. My husband has stated in court that he will pay for his son’s (who has a learning disability) college education but has not done so. He lies and she takes pleasure believing these lies. She served on the board for Grace Smith House-as an battered woman, it is a disgrace and a shame. Judge Sproat and the Supreme Court of Dutchess County, may not have blood on their hands but they are slowly killing democracy in this county-I can only hope that justice will be served when she disrobed for failing to do her job as a civil servant, i.e serving the people.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY5440
Rating:1.1
Comments:
I was told I had to pay temporary alimony rates at a higher rate than my income and after showing proof of my income the order was still not changed. Since I was unable to pay that amount NYS decided to with hold 50 percent or my income for alimony thus putting me in financial ruins. After finalizing the divorce and agreeing on proper alimony rates, the judge has taken over 5 months and still has not changed the orders, or signed the paperwork to end this divorce or dilemma. The kick in the face is NYS state says I make too much money to qualify for assistance because the do not take into consideration that I am over paying in alimony plus I also pay child support. After all is said and done with medical taxes etc the amount I pay out is way more than I take home. Too boot I have one of my children living with me full time and no one will help.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY5262
Rating:3.8
Comments:
She is a nice person, but she doesn't know the law a lick. She can kill any chances of settling a case. Stay as far away from her as you can. Her principal court attorney is a real gentleman, but unfortunately he knows almost as little about the law as she does.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY5196
Rating:2.4
Comments:
Judge Sproat's true colors shone through in my case: she completely ignored the facts in my case, and ruled against me, not on the facts, but in an apparent attempt to protect the plaintiffs and their attorneys in a fraudulent lawsuit. As a pro se defendant, I fought for the truth and my rights. This led to a contempt hearing, where, again, she violated my rights and had me jailed for thirty days in an effort to extort a guilty plea from me to cover her past actions. I will be filing a motion to set aside, and one for her recusal, and she will not be able to defend her actions.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY5147
Rating:2.0
Comments:
Judge Christine Sproat should not even be allowed to sit on the bench! She has no concept of the law , blurts out anything she likes whenever she feels like it, and pretends that she is working on her laptop on the bench! It is a real shame that this lady has the right to call herself a judge. She is bringing the judicial system down, and that is a shame! As a voting Dutchess County resident, it will be known that this judge does not qualify to be a judge. There are other clerical duties that I think would be more appropriate for Judge Sproat. She walks around that courthouse as if she knows someone and her job will never be taken away -- maybe she does? She didn't get the job by knowing what she is doing! Shame on you, Judge Sproat, shame on you!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY5145
Rating:2.0
Comments:
On behalf of our client, it would be a wise choice to do the right thing, knowing that your comments to us and to them have only been judgmental! Even in the courtroom, when there is a jury present and you have no say, you manage to slip in your comments in order to make the jury go against this young woman who is entitled to it all. That's horrible and unethical, and certainly not what a judge is supposed to do! I'm not sure who voted for you, but I do know it's all about who you know, so my educated guess would be that you must have known somebody to get this position! Albany will hear about this, and we'll let them decide.

Litigant

Comment #: NY5140
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Taking matters into her own personal hands again -- that's not surprising, coming from a judgmental person like her! When someone is disabled, she is holding them hostage! She needs to understand the law properly, to go back to school, whatever it takes because she is ruining people's lives! Thank God that I have family to take care of me! That's what life is about: not ruining people's lives! Let me tell you, there is only one Judge in this life, and the Man Upstairs is looking down and watching what you do. Shame on you!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY5059
Rating:1.1
Comments:
Who is watching over this judgmental, jealous, clueless judge? She is putting her own personal agenda first! You are a judge who was elected by the people of Dutchess County -- what were they thinking? You fly off the handle in the courtroom when things don't go your way! And you take sides? Shame on you!

Other

Comment #: NY5030
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Judge Christine Sproat thinks that she's a glamour queen behind that bench, and is completely clueless, pretending to do work on her laptop. Oh, and did I forget how judgmental she is? She actually sat before my case saying that there's nothing wrong with her, because she's a nice-looking lady! And then has the nerve to say: "Why do I drive my son to school? You know why? Because I am alive, I'm breathing and I can!"

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY3920
Rating:7.4
Comments:
I concluded a fairly involved case with her recently and she got right to the point. Practical and reasonable. I thought she was usually right although the reasonaing was sometimes less than clear. A nice person with a heavy calendar.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY3680
Rating:2.0
Comments:
Little talent and stupid of the law- clerk Martini is of the same ilk.

One has to wonder if she was appointed due to the need for female judges. Martini is less talented than she is.

Hopefully he also gets knocked out of his town justice position in the 2013 or 2014 elections (it will be one of them)

Court Staff

Comment #: NY3235
Rating:1.0
Comments:
What A stupid person. She is embarassing to watch.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY3220
Rating:1.0
Comments:
A frightening disregard for the law. Who monitors her? I don't know what is worse her lazyness or her uncaring attitude to those families she holds in hell while she make NO DECISSION>>>> E V E R!!!

Other

Comment #: NY3216
Rating:1.0
Comments:
This Judge is ill equipt to deal with the matters before her. Her skill set does not match position on the bench. Further she is encumbered by a self serving law clerk Mr. Martini who is not only ignorant of the law but deals out favors to his "buddies", sadly this judge blindly and ignorantly follows. Judge Sproat is not a bad or unkind person, she is lazy, shows up unprepared and ignorant of the facts or the cogent law regarding the matters at had and nothing ever gets resolved. Her ploy is obvious, let the lit's linger in hell till they have to make their own decission, then she can't be wrong or appealed because " no decission" can never be challenged. Her case load is so big for that reason. A review of her cases would show her total contempt for the law which she ignores. It's shameful. She gets a # 1 because in the end all she attempts to protect is her own back. To hell with everyone else's misery. Where is OCA, what about standards and goals? Maybe they need to be sued for total derilection of duty. They are they to monitor, correct and supervise. THAT IS A JOKE.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY3166
Rating:3.6
Comments:
Judge Sproat is overwhelmed with the number of cases assigned to her, and cannot cope with the work-load. Judge Sproat speaks from the bench with poor to little command of the case facts, and speaks far too much and renders her personal observations, opinions and thoughts on how ther cases should be handled without the requisite knowledge or background - angrying many litigators, who have to contend with the aftermath of such ramblings with the client(s). Her first inclination is to determine why the case has not settled or why it is before her - rather than what the relevant issues are and what role the Court needs to play in deciding them or making them ready for trial. Judge Sproat lacks decisiveness, is not consistent in her rulings, is weak on the law, and casts many cases and litigants into prolonged and destructive litigation. Her favoritism to the defense side of personal injury cases is obvious, (remarking on a slip and fall case that plaintiffs usually lose if the case hasn't settled). Her value of cases seems stuck in the mid-90's, and the defense bar loves it and knows it. She frequently chooses sides without having all facts, grows extremely upset when facing discovery issues, and shows visibly upset emotions when challanged on the law. This has gotten worse as her career proceeds. It is a true shame. The more complex the case, the worse matters get - because they need real hard work and a willingness to reach a fair and just decision for the litigants, which is definately not occurring. This Judge is a very personable individual, who seems over her head with the work and frustrated at her job. Her law clerk is a personable individual, who as taken on the appearance of a shell-shocked soldier, as he contends with the crush of work and what is forced upon him by a reluctant judge. Both will work a case to force settlement to save the court from work, but not for real justice. It didn't use to be this way. Again, a real shame.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY3042
Rating:8.1
Comments:
A very fair and a very fine judge. She lets you try your case and works hard to keep herself out of the litigation. She has excellent temperment and a good grasp of the law. She has good judicial instincts and is extremely easy to communicate with. Our trial before her was very difficult so dealing with a judge that did not add to that was a real pleasure.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY2140
Rating:1.2
Comments:
I don't know what happened to this Judge. She used to be very good. Each time we appear before her now, she goes out of her way to screw our firm and our clients. She has become incompetent and for some unknown reason, vindictive. She should leave the bench, then justice would be served and people would be treated fairly.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY932
Rating:9.8
Comments:
A very nice, decisive, intelligent and bold judge. A realist, not an ideologue.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY771
Rating:9.5
Comments:
Fair, pleasant, and lets the lawyers try their cases. Not many judges are better.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY428
Rating:9.6
Comments:
Judge Sproat came to the bench having served as a law secretary who handled much of the pre-trial disclosure and settlement discussions for the judge she worked for, so she came to the bench with that knowledge. She is courteous to all in her courtroom, and has a very capable and experienced law secretary. She does a good job in the courtroom, making rulings and decisions throughout the course of a trial.