Tag Archives: courtroom

“Whodunnit?” From the mouths of babes …

Posted on October 17, 2018 by

Kids Ask Some Great Questions I first became a judge in 1995, and my kids were really young. They liked coming to the courthouse and seeing where Dad worked. One time my son asked about the people in jail. He … Continue reading →

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Immigration Status and the Right to a Fair Trial

Posted on September 23, 2016 by

I was picking a jury a couple years ago when one of the people waiting to be called forward to answer questions handed my bailiff a note: “Is the defendant in the country illegally?” After the next break I had … Continue reading →

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How Not To Get Your Point Across

Posted on April 12, 2016 by

This happens in my courtroom sometimes and I end up thinking, “Yes, I get your point. I got it the first time you said it, and the second, and the third, and … .” But what I say is, “Interesting point. … Continue reading →

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Sex in the Courtroom

Posted on April 6, 2016 by

The young man – well, legally a man but not for much longer – stood in front of me, separated by the space between the courtroom table and the judge’s bench where I sat in my black robe. He wasn’t … Continue reading →

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Parenting Skills and Courtroom Behavior

Posted on January 9, 2015 by

[Updated from the archives.] *** Courtrooms are formal and stuffy places, right? Serious business goes on there and everyone is on their best behavior, aren’t they? Would anyone act inappropriately? The answer to each of those questions is “You’d be … Continue reading →

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For That Hard-To-Please Person In Your Life

Posted on August 5, 2014 by

This has never happened in my courtroom. Honest.

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Name Change

Posted on April 11, 2014 by

The family walked in late to the courtroom, after all the other cases were decided and everyone was gone. The bailiff showed them to the table usually used by attorneys. This family had no attorney. They took their seats and looked at me. … Continue reading →

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Parenting in the Courtroom

Posted on February 12, 2013 by

Courtrooms are formal and stuffy places, right? Serious business goes on there and everyone is on their best behavior, aren’t they? Would anyone act inappropriately? The answer to each of those questions is “You’d be surprised.” I’ve been a judge … Continue reading →

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Sunday School – name calling*

Posted on November 4, 2012 by

*The idea for this post came from a set of comments on an interview over at Aimee Byrd’s blog. *** In the courtroom I will sometimes have to ask for the correct pronunciation of a person’s name. Instead of pronouncing it … Continue reading →

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