Justices Are Sometimes Just
In Lansing, Michigan, Judge Hugh B. Clarke, Jr. fined himself $50 when his cellphone went off. Jacob Greenman blogs at the WSJ:
Judge Clarke told Law Blog that he had made a call during a recess, and in hustling back to his courtroom, he forgot to set his phone to vibrate. "I don't know why I even had it," he said.But, as Saint Augustine once said, it is humility that makes men angels. "I'm not above the law," Judge Clarke said. "We operate by laws and rules, and people have to follow them."
By Monday, things returned to normal. The judge held in contempt a prosecutor whose cellphone went off during a hearing.
My cell phone has been off vibrate maybe three times since I've had it. I don't like to disturb people. If I'm at a movie, I shut it off entirely.
Commenters at the WSJ said this blog item was "silly," but I disagree -- for the reasons this commenter points out.
kitty@plannedinfinity.com wrote:
This Lansing Judge is my new hero. All week, I have been collecting articles on officials breaking the law while enforcing the law, such as cops in Florida selling cocaine to arrest buyers of cocaine.This judge fined himself for breaking the established rules; this makes the statement that he is not above the law he is enforcing. This article may be silly, but it made my year!
Just when I was about to throw in my towel on the system, this judge reminded me why our system is so special. More silly articles like this! Thank you!
yeah I don't understand why phones aren't usually on vibrate, or just not used. Are people that proud of their stupid ringtones?
carol at October 14, 2013 11:10 AM
Based on that story, I would say Hon. Clark is an ethical and fair judge. In order for the justice system to work, everyone should be held to the same standards as those appearing before the court. Same with LEOs - drives me crazy when I see them breaking the laws they are sworn to enforce.
My phone is on vibrate 90% of the time. The few exceptions are when I'm at the grocery store - someone always has last minute additions to my shopping list, or if I'm expecting a phone call while I'm at home (we don't have a landline). I can't stand the sound of a ringing phone.
sara at October 14, 2013 11:25 AM
Meh. I'm not so impressed. What choice did he have, really? Next time an attorney's cell phone goes off, and he slaps them with a contempt charge, they'd just say, "With all due respect, Your Honor, yours did on such-and-such a date."
Patrick at October 14, 2013 3:35 PM
Thanks for re-posting my comment.
I identify with people from the law profession who are unimpressed. They see judges acting properly on a regular basis - i.e. not a hypocrite.
However, that news rarely makes it out of the courtroom.
What was impressive is that the Wall Street Journal posted this story. The events were not salacious nor inflammatory, and the article did not seem to be posted for ratings.
So, gold stars WSJ and Amy Alkon!
Kitty at October 14, 2013 6:07 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/10/14/sometimes_justi.html#comment-3980059">comment from KittyAw, thanks!
Amy Alkon
at October 14, 2013 8:14 PM
I like this guy. The problem with being honest is that you are punished.
He'll never get to SCOTUS with that attitude.
Jim P. at October 14, 2013 9:22 PM
I'm sort of with Patrick on this - I'm not impressed; or, rather I should say that I wish I were not impressed.
It shouldn't be news that a judge is holding himself to the same standards that he holds everyone else to for their conduct in his courtroom.
However, I think there are so many lying hypocrites in our society (especially those in power) that we are somewhat surprised when someone "does the right thing."
Charles at October 15, 2013 11:07 AM
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