When Duty Conflicts with Faith Q. Judge Smith, how do elected officials balance conflicts between their public duties and their personal religious beliefs? Thank you, Maria A. Maria, let’s begin by covering the basic civics and legal principles involved, and then I’ll explain how I balance conflicts. When it comes to my job, I can’t…
Q. Judge Smith, why do plaintiffs and prosecutors always go first at trial? That does not seem fair to defendants. – Thank you, Maria. A. Maria, before I answer your question, let’s cover some essentials. Plaintiffs sue defendants in civil lawsuits, and prosecutors bring charges against defendants in criminal cases. Although both sides take turns…
Q. As a judge, what should courts expect from people, and how do you go about deciding criminal sentences? A. Courts expect people to be honest, well-behaved, and on time. Courts also expect people to give their best efforts to be responsible for themselves and their actions. This includes fulfilling the promises they make. I…
When I was a small child, my mother read me stories with morals, and one of my favorites was “The Little Engine That Could.” In the story, a determined little engine pulls a heavy-laden train up a mountain to deliver food and toys to children. The lesson extols the values of optimism and work ethic….
Have you ever spent a rainy day working on a puzzle? Thank goodness for the picture on the box cover; without it, you wouldn’t have any idea of what you’re trying to assemble and you’d just have a jumble of pieces. In many ways, trials are like jigsaw puzzles. Civil causes of action and criminal…
Q. Judge Smith, I’m in middle school and want to be a lawyer when I grow up. Which do you think is better, a republic or a democracy? — Sue A. Sue, you have the perfect name for a lawyer! All kidding aside, I’m delighted that you want to be one. Now, let’s discuss republics…
Q. Judge Smith, how has law practice changed since you started? A. I became a lawyer in 1987. As a newbie, my boss tasked me with legal research, writing, and reviewing documents that the parties had produced for lawsuits. Let’s compare how I did that work then and now. Nineteen-Hundred-and-Eighty-Seven 1987 was nearing the end…
Q. Judge Smith, what are the pros and cons of the parties settling their civil lawsuits, and how do you encourage the parties to negotiate deals? A. Most lawsuits center on the issues of liability and damages. Even if the defendant’s liability is a given, the plaintiff’s ability to collect an award of damages…
Question: ” Judge Smith, what is criminal contempt of Court? How often does it happen? What punishment does it carry?” – Zach Suppose you are a public-school teacher presenting an essential lesson to a classroom of 30 students. Suddenly, one student becomes loud and disruptive, distracting the other 29 students, who can no longer hear…
Question: “Judge Smith, did you always aspire to be a lawyer?” – Sally No, I did not. Allow me to explain how it happened. My late father, Frank D. Smith was a hard worker and a problem solver. When he graduated from high school, he aspired to go to college. However, his parents couldn’t afford…
