Today a person very close to me started picking a jury in Broward in front of a judge who will remain anonymous. So far it hasn’t gone very well. Apparently this judge is very angry and upset about something. Why? Why do some judges have such poor judicial temperament? I have been in front of judges you can throw rocks at and wont flinch while others flip out, cut you off and yell at you in front of the jury for attempting to do a thorough voir dire.

I can tell you that as a former public defender who spent most of his career in difficult courtrooms I have learned to really appreciate a jurist with good judicial temperament. A judge who doesn’t get angry easily, that allows you to argue within reason, treats lawyers with respect, that makes you look like Roy Black in front of your clients, who may rule against you 9 times out of ten but will always listen and give you a fighting chance. Its your courtroom, everyone knows that but remember its a courtroom not Camp Lejune.