New Britain herald., 1927-09-10
1'DL|KE ID BE THE JUDGE, YOU'VE SAID
But It Is Not Easy, Declares
 Judge H. P. Roche


 tences, suspended sentences and other punishment with no apparent effort. But when one is cast in the role of judge and he sits there and thinks of the great responsibility that is his. the matter is not so easy especially when it is realized that his wod can send a man to jail, or, at least, give him police court rec ord"
 That statement comes from Judge Henry r. Roche of the New Britain police and city courts as part of an interview with a representative of the Herald this week.
 The interview took up many phases in connection with both courts. There is a marked differ cnce between them, one being en- ployed for the settlement of human problems while the other disposcs of civil cases. AS Judge Roche aptly puts it, One handles mans liber- ty, while the other handles his prop trty."
 The city court settles many private disputes and 1t consumes more Of a judges time than does the police court work. aCOrdinC 10 Judge Roche. The judge in civil court cases cant exercise his discrc- ton as he can in police court. since after the evidence is submitted he must give judgment from either one side or the other. regardless Of whether that judgment will work q hardship on someone. In police court if is possible to take into con- sideration financial conditions Of the accused person and 10 consider whether decisions will work hard ships on innocent families.
 For example, q man owes q. bill and he is sued. the case coming to trial in city court. To pay the money all at once and at certain time may ruin him. However. there is nothing for the judge 10 do but 10 render judgment against him if il is proved beyond a doubt that the money is really due the plaintiff. In police court a man may be fined, but if his financial condition is such . that to pay it all at once would . work a hardship upon him or his . family, it is possible 10 arrange for . the payment in installments 10 the . probation officer.
 It is not easy 10 impose Jail sen fences. according to Judge Roche. |. In many cases the families arc pun !. ish as much as are the offenders and . al those circumstances must be . looked into. Punishment is intend , ed to deter, but also to have q cor rectiye effect.
 Drink Addicts"
 One of the problems which a i judge encounters ls passing ludg- mert on drink addicts," who ap- pear in police court every SO often 10 answer charges Of drunkenness, but who. between times. do an hon. est days work and conduct them |. solves as average citizens. Sending them 10 jail doesn't cure them, be- . cause they are back again in a short time. These mon 20 off on . periodic "sprees' and do not intend . 10 be troublesome at other times
 Regarding the testimony of police . officers Judge Roche said that their . statements are given just as much . Credence as those Of any other wit nesses. In the opinion of some . people, the statements of police off cers are thought 10 carry more . weight with the court than those Of . others Judge Roche said that is not SO. since police officers. after all, ,1 lr, nl .hfI- as liable 10 exag aggerate as ar" other . people.
 Attitude Of Witnesses
 The attitude of witnesses many . times gives the judge an inkllng as 10 the truth of his story, Many wit . nc-ses impress the judge as being o' an inherently truthful and straight forward nature the minute they step on the stand. while the tcst! nonv Of other witnesses is taken with a grain Of salt.
 The judge spoke Of the many angles Of both police court 'HS'+ and civil court cases H. stated that lt is not possible to take as much tim" 10 decide a police court GAS" HS 10 decide a civil court case. because in the former the evidence is given and 1 the decisions must follow Tn civil |. cases much of tho evidence is in ! documentary form and it js poSsihl" 10 spend time in working over th" details
 Isn't f. rather narve-racki0C 10 . sit there before so many people and render decisions, keeping your mind on the subject at hand and weighing the evidence within q short space of time? Judge Roche was asked,
 AS an answer 10 the question ii" judge drew a picture of tho editorial rooms Of the Herald located or 'hn stage of focal th'ator with "fHE seat crowded. He said inc sitpo- tion would he about the same . that in police court and asked th. reporter how he'd like to do his work under such conditions
 According to the iui1", inc as"r- 4 co person is pretty decent and orderly sor, of a fellow When one figures the percentage Of rrim. jH this city it can lo seen that Now Britain is quite peaceful
 If three persons out oS 'hoG- sand should go wrong, that average" wouldn't bo considered su bad. vonld i'"' h" asked. bu' th" par- ccntago Of crime in New Britain can be seen. when say that if three people out of q thousand w.n' wrong in New Britain. 'hor~ would . he q total of about G-p casa ia police court tomorrow morning.
 Tn conclusion. Judge Hochs s'at.d . that after a day in police court fine magistrate is tired mentally The . hustle and hustle and the necessity . fnr following closely @U th, ,gi- dence in many cases is decidedly . tiring, he said.
 Marines Kill Four i