While Francis listens, a jury in another case over which he's presiding is deliberating the fate of a Woodbridge man charged in a brutal carjacking and robbery. At any time, there are about 35 judges in the courthouse on Bayard Street. The number includes criminal, civil and family court judges.
Civil judges account for the largest number.
Francis is one of seven in the criminal division. And on most days, Francis and his colleagues are called upon to juggle one or more cases. Assistant Prosecutor Mark Cassidy argues that because the suspect was apprehended minutes after the robbery and identified within hours of the incident there was no need to prepare the photo array. One victory gained, Costanza attempts to convince the judge that the confession Roach made should not be admitted as evidence because it was not taped, there were no witnesses and no statements signed by her client. Because there is no documentation, she tells Francis she doubts there ever was a confession.