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My
"view" from the bench changes frequently, not the physical location, but rather
the manner in which I see this view. On some days I see a system in which all the
participants are working hard with the intent of both representing their clients well and
achieving equity. However, there are those days when, in spite of our positive intention,
we end up only doing the best we can. As you can tell, my view is sometimes of people at
their best and sometimes at their most destructive, of people trying to make the system
work and of those working the system.
Whatever the perspective of my view on any given day, I am always reminded of
the importance of all the participants bringing their best efforts and most positive
intentions into our Courts. Without these positive efforts on the part of the Judiciary
and the attorneys, the necessary respect for the Judicial System will erode completely.
My view also reminds me again why it is important that the group of people
who have this same view be as inclusive and as representative of our citizens as possible.
For it is this inclusiveness of the judges and the fairness and equality which we must
bring to the bench that should lead to the respect for the Judiciary that is the life
breath of its continued existence. |
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Judge
Kathleen Bell
Chancery Judge
1st Judicial Court |
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When I was initially appointed to serve as a juvenile judge in July of 1993, I had no idea
of the tremendous job satisfaction which awaited me. In fact, since I had never even
aspired to be a judge, I really did not know what I was getting into. Having just been
re-elected to my second full term as juvenile judge, I can not think of any other job that
would provide more fulfillment. The job satisfaction arises from the fact that the
decisions and judgements that I make can have a profound impact, hopefully a positive one,
upon the quality of life for children and families. There are some occasions such as
making a decision to terminate parental rights or making a (fortunately rare)
determination to terminate life support, when the responsibilities of being the judge are
both awesome and humbling. In those instance, you have to be confident that you have
applied the law correctly, that you have made your best effort to find the correct facts,
and that you have factored in a correct balance of humanity, compassion, fairness, and
justice, and hope and pray (or whatever extra one does) that your lifetime experiences
have adequately prepared you to do all of the above. |
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Judge
Wiley
A. Branton, Jr.
Circuit/Chancery Judge
6th Judicial Circuit |
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I have
served the City of Magnolia as Municipal Judge for the past 16 years. Despite the many
years on the bench, I still have that childlike anxiety on each and every court date.
I have learned in my years in court that a Municipal Court Judge that cares
for people and has a desire to improve people’s conduct can make a difference. I
realize that the number of people who appear in Municipal Court greatly outnumber those
who appear in all other courts and that the manner in which I handle my court makes a
lasting impression.
I am of the opinion that a Municipal Judge, as any other judge, must first
have a caring for people. If that caring is not possessed, then the judge should enter
another position. |
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Judge
Rodney
Chambers
Municipal Court Judge
Magnolia |
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municipal court is a people’s court. It is the only court with which most citizens
come in contact, and the general public forms its opinion of the judicial system there.
The large majority of the defendants are not really criminals but rather irresponsible
folk who have committed minor violations or have left undone something they should have
done, and that is why both Judge David Saxon and I operate on what we call the "do
right" rule. For instance, people who are ticketed for expired tags are not fined if
they register their vehicles and pay a penalty for late registration. Defendants
who are cited for failure to carry liability insurance get a large portion of their fine
suspended if they become insured before they appear in Court. Judge Saxon and I handle
about 36,000 cases each year, generating more than three million dollars in revenue, but
our main purpose remains to bring violators into compliance with the law.
Of course, there are criminals who pose a threat to society and I am alarmed
at the rising tide of domestic violence which appears to be reaching epidemic proportions.
In these cases, as in other criminal cases, this court has and will continue to adopt a
policy of strict construction of the criminal code. |
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Judge
Les Evitts
Municipal Court Judge
Fort Smith |
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