Hon. Peter J. Messitte See Rating Details
District Judge See Comments
D.Md.  
Average Rating:5.9 - 26 rating(s)
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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


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What others have said about Hon. Peter J. Messitte


Comments


Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 24098
Rating:9.3
Comments:
One of the best judges before whom I have practiced. Very thoughtful.

Litigant

Comment #: 23464
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
compromised, unfair and incompetent.

Other

Comment #: 23363
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Disorganized and biased; a bully. Seems to be senile. Does not pay attention to defendants. He favors the DAs, especially if they are males. Has issues with women. He really needs to consider retirement. Does not like "rich people" even though he makes over $200k not ncluding substantial investments and lives in a wealthy community.

Other

Comment #: 23079
Rating:8.0
Comments:
By the book ... High awareness but never in a hurry as far as deadlines go. However when it's time the result is coming hot and heavy so be ready

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 22896
Rating:4.3
Comments:
Biased and result driven if he dislikes your case. Should have retried long ago. A bully for the most part.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 22163
Rating:5.3
Comments:
Finds the outcome he wants and then contorts the law and reality to support his decision

Other

Comment #: 21926
Rating:1.0
Comments:
The man is biased is not neutral.

Litigant

Comment #: 21262
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Three words: compromised, unfair and incompetent.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 18124
Rating:1.2
Comments:
Incompetent should hurry up and retire. bad judgment, unfair

Other

Comment #: 12269
Rating:8.0
Comments:
Judge Messitte will always have my respect because of the fact he actually heard what went on in court and based his decision on that. As he has gotten older he's gotten more mellow and with Senior Status, he seems more prone to listen now instead of shoot first.

Other

Comment #: 11681
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
What is taking so long for his ruling on the wash metro vs. union 689 case. He said he would decide in 45 days and it has been well over that. I want him to know that many people are waiting for his decision.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 11615
Rating:1.6
Comments:
If you expect your judges to have read the briefs and understand the issues before oral arguments, then this is not the judge for you. He will also disregard the law to get to the result he wants but without admitting to doing so so as to make an appeal that much more difficult.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 9684
Rating:2.7
Comments:
Odd to see him comment on a case and other judges in the Sean Goldman case. Don't know why he wanted argument on a motion that he had decided before the argument commenced. Very very opinionated and seems to let his opinions get in the way of his intellect and cases cited. The world is not as clar and definitive as he would make it seem. He should open up and not decide cases as quickly and early as he seems to. Seemed very odd before him.

Other

Comment #: 9643
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I found your comments pretty interesting. I agree with most of what you had to say. I have 2 cases before him and I agree that he is very bias and a hypocrite. He recently gave testimony about the Sean Goldman case in Brazil. I thought it was comical that he had any views on this case as he has no regard for the litigants before him in similar cases. Thanks for your comments, they confirmed some of my on thoughts...he is a flat out 'racist' from back in the old era. Can't wait for him to retire...

Other

Comment #: 7869
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Judge Messitte is prejudiced and easily bought. He makes many errors of judicial bias and won't acknowledge them. He behaves like a schoolyard bully, knocking down litigants and then conspiring with others to kick the opponent to death. He misuses the law to deny others their constitutional rights. I agree with the comment that he carries grudges and is arrogant. Minorities should avoid him. He is a hypocrite for going to lecture in Brazil and other Third World countries about the rule of law - he doesn't know what that means.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 7797
Rating:8.5
Comments:
He will not read your submissions, so be prepared to start your argument from the beginning - but, he is extremely smart and capable of grasping the issues quickly and rendering a well-reasoned opinion.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 7717
Rating:8.0
Comments:
Wants to do a good job but lets his sympathies for a party which may suffer a hardship get in the way. Generally good in commercial and real estate matters.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 7483
Rating:5.7
Comments:
He was a much better judge during his first two years on the bench.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 6534
Rating:6.5
Comments:
My interactions with Judge Messitte have been positive. No notable outbursts or negative attributes - but on the same point, none that are positive that have stuck out, either. A plain vanilla judge, as one commentator once said. He's apparently never had any ambition to do something other than what he's doing now.

Prosecutor

Comment #: 5401
Rating:4.7
Comments:
Extremely arrogant, unfriendly with those with whom he clashes in court, unforgiving, a real carrier of grudges.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: 5276
Rating:5.2
Comments:
He will be "result driven" if he dislikes your client or your case. Not the sharpest knife in the box.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: 4538
Rating:8.3
Comments:
Judge Messitte quickly rules from the bench and apparently harbors no ambitions other than doing a good job. This is the type of judge you want to sit on District Court. Judge Messitte's demeanor is excellent and he is very fair. He will also tell both sides how he sees the case and you won't be blindsided.

Other

Comment #: 3872
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Brilliant, charming - awesome