We enjoy everyone who comes to our office-from state legislators to maintenance personnel. Each one deserves courtesy, kindness and respect. Jurors are another group with whom I interact. Every jury trial in my court begins with the Pledge of Allegiance. Yet another group are the lawyers.
Patience is a virtue, especially with obstreperous or young lawyers.
More is to be gained by dignity and courtesy in the courtroom than by any other treatment. I owe it to the lawyers to listen to their arguments. I strive to be dignified and firm but not mean. Lawyers have enormous opportunities to be peacemakers, if guided or goaded. Judges have inherent powers and persuasive abilities to turn courtroom warriors into community peacemakers.