Table of Contents
Are you allowed to be rude to a judge?
There are broadly two categories of contempt: being disrespectful to legal authorities in the courtroom, or willfully failing to obey a court order. A judge may impose sanctions such as a fine or jail for someone found guilty of contempt of court, which makes contempt of court a process crime.
Can judges be angry?
Judges get angry. Law, however, is of two minds as to whether they should; more importantly, it is of two minds as to whether judges’ anger should influence their behavior and decision making. On the one hand, anger is the quintessentially judicial emotion.
What should I do if a court ruling is in doubt?
If a ruling is in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution: assume every ruling will have an impact on every aspect of the case, from discovery boundaries to use of expert witnesses or the manner in which evidence will be presented at trial. Don’t spend too long contemplating this one.
What happens when a jurist is wrong?
However, every litigator will eventually encounter a jurist who is undeniably flat-out wrong on an issue. Whether the error is a ruling on an objection or a misapplication of the law, this scenario can leave both judge and litigator in a pickle. This practice point seeks to clarify your options when this inevitably happens.
Can a jurist be wrong and wear robes?
This proclamation was uttered to me by—you guessed it—a judge. It’s a judge’s job to be right, and ultimately they wear the robes, not you. However, every litigator will eventually encounter a jurist who is undeniably flat-out wrong on an issue.
Can I brief the court on a ruling against me?
If you question a ruling against you within court, you may ask the court’s permission to brief any issue before a ruling is handed down. It’s your job to represent your client accurately; don’t be shy about due diligence on a sticky point. How will the error affect the case’s outcome?