In order for our justice system to function fairly and effectively in civil rights cases and all other matters, a party must be given the opportunity to develop its claims and present them to a jury, except under certain narrow circumstances where it is clear the claims lack merit or are legally barred, or where a party’s lawyer has used improper tactics. Judge Pratter, however, has proven eager to dismiss the claims of civil rights plaintiffs and to stifle advocacy by these plaintiffs’ attorneys. Moreover, she has grounded these decisions in questionable – or, as the Third Circuit has held in at least three cases, wrong – interpretations of law and fact.