Judges for Justice (JFJ) has been key in helping four innocent men in three states (Idaho, Hawaii, Ohio) obtain their freedom. Judge Heavey, CEO of JFJ, explains how unethical conduct, called “noble cause corruption,” is why wrongful convictions happen; how Judges for Justice uses good will and truth in helping to rectify these injustices. (“Good will and truth,” sounds like the principles of Rotary doesn’t it?)
Judge Michael Heavey (Ret.) is the CEO of JFJ and co-founded the organization with Judge Peter Deegan (Ret.) of Michigan in 2013. Judge Heavey was appointed to the King County Superior Court bench in 2000 by Governor Gary Locke and served until his retirement in at the age of 66 in 2013. Judge Heavey served as a legislator in Olympia for 14 years from 1987 to 2000, eight in the House and six in the Senate. From 1967 to 1970 Heavey served as an officer in the US Army. He spent one year in Vietnam with the First Air Cavalry Division and was awarded The Bronze Star medal for meritorious service.