I've never actually spoken to a Judge from a non-defensive position. During all of my conversations with Judges, I have been wearing handcuffs at least. And more times than not, the complete ensemble of handcuffs attached to a chain around my waist with leg shackles.
I've been arrested dozens of times. I've appeared in front of many Judges. Many of them seemed genuinely concerned with levying just sentences...to do their job in a way that contributes to the whole of mankind. One gets a feeling about these things. Just as some dogs can sense benevolence or malice, most of us have the ability to see a persons true character after just minimal contact. On the flip side, I've observed a few Judges behave in ways that befit a spoiled adolescent-no ability to climb into the defendants skin or see the obvious flaws in the D.A.'s argument.
I recently accompanied a friend to Court. She was facing Felony Domestic Violence, a charge that, along with Assault With a Deadly Weapon, is handed out in California like parking tickets.
I sat there all day long. Conservatively, 95% of the cases involved alcohol...call it use or abuse. The Judge had over 140 people on the calendar that day- 140 people to process.
Does he imbibe at all? Is he repulsed by alcohol?
I concluded after examining his physical appearance that he does not. He appeared fit, over 60 years old, with clear, taut skin, and no apparent vascular degeneration-no bulbous nose. He was very composed and articulate, in spite of openly expressing being frustrated by the incompetence of the barely post-pubescent posse of D.A. assistants. A posse of individuals who most assuredly, spend their leisure time playing video games! I've seen the type-they fit the bill. They trade in their joysticks for badges by day... "Professionals", declared competent to make decisions affecting their fellow humans lives ever so dramatically. This puzzles me.
Alcohol use has been a factor in approximately 90% of my criminal cases.
I've not been arrested since choosing to abstain from alcohol use.
On that day in Court, the Judge granted the majority of defendants alternatives to incarceration- ALCOHOL CESSATION / REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS.
Once while sentencing, the Judge included this heartfelt admonishment. "Mr. so and so, you are on the fast track to a grave, stay sober and maybe someday you will have a life worth living."
At first I thought this harsh. After a few seconds it hit me. He does this every day.
"Stay sober and maybe someday you will have a life worth living." WORD.
Friedman Newman
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