Court Opinion

ID: 9649529
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 14:58:45.405584+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:12:11.815551
License: Public Domain

CONCURRING STATEMENT BY
KLEIN, J.:
¶ 1 I fully join in the thorough and cogent opinion of my distinguished colleague. I agree that (a) one may not probe into the deliberative process of a judge; (b) a magisterial district judge is a “judge” for these purposes; and (c) judges should be treated differently and not subject to broad subpoenas for testimony regarding cases over which they presided and that could relate to the deliberative process.
¶ 2 I write separately to note that there are other avenues available to get the information sought by Appellee, and this opinion does not necessarily preclude using them. It is true that proceedings before a magisterial district judge are not generally recorded, and it may be appropriate to ask what was testified to at such a proceeding. Likewise, it may be appropriate to ask if there is a special list of officers not believed by the judge. However, these questions and others are best asked by written interrogatories without subjecting the judge to a full-range deposition that could intrude on the protection for the deliberative process. Objections to the questions could be raised in writing and then decided in a reasonable manner. That is far preferable to “on the spot” objections during an oral deposition.