Law from a legal assistant’s point of view, week 30: Good Judges
By Quinton Lister, legal assistant
In the course of my 7 months as a legal assistant to a divorce attorney in Utah, I have already shared some of my thoughts on the role of judges.
I have come to see how much power judges have and it has given me pause to consider the impact a judge can have on the lives of so many people. It is essential for the courts of Utah (and the rest of the United States of America) to be staffed with good and competent judges. I do not claim to know all of what makes a judge good and competent, but I will elaborate on what I mean by “good” and “competent”.
What I mean by a “good” judge is a judge that has a good heart. That does not mean a judge who is lax and lenient, unwilling to “make the punishment fit the crime.” Good judges follow the law and construe and apply it fairly and impartially.
A “competent” judge is knowledgeable of the law and not afraid administer it. Is one who understands the rules of evidence and can be decisive when called upon to be. This is different from what I mean by “good” because competence in this sense means that the judge knows the law, what it means (and what it does not). One who is still learning and willing to learn, even while a judge.
Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277
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