Posted: 7/24/2017 5:07:38 PM EDT
| I got out of traffic court earlier today; ticket was dismissed. Is it normal for a judge, to be a current named partner in a law firm? I always thought a judge was a full time gig. I don't have a problem with the judge, he was friendly. |
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Judges in lower courts are sometimes part timers with a regular law practice Many judges around here in town courts are not lawyers |
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Hmm that's interesting, it was small town and was surprised to see a judge (or magistrates?) that looked familiar... I didn't realize he was a named partner until I googled him. Overall it was a interesting experience and something I glad I done on my own, instead of hiring a attorney. The judge was accommodating and explained everything fairly well.
Also, lots of dirt bags out there 
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Hmm that's interesting, it was small town and was surprised to see a judge (or magistrates?) that looked familiar... I didn't realize he was a named partner until I googled him. Overall it was a interesting experience and something I glad I done on my own, instead of hiring a attorney. The judge was accommodating and explained everything fairly well. Also, lots of dirt bags out there |
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The city and town traffic court judges here are only part-time, and the small claims "judges" are actually volunteer attorneys. In both cases, they work as attorneys when they are not playing judge.
We have some county misdemeanor judges who are not attorneys, which is pretty common in the rural areas of my state. I have heard some wacky stuff from them (probably not so funny to the defendant), but I have heard a lot of wacky stuff from federal and state district court judges too. |
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Hmm that's interesting, it was small town and was surprised to see a judge (or magistrates?) that looked familiar... I didn't realize he was a named partner until I googled him. Overall it was a interesting experience and something I glad I done on my own, instead of hiring a attorney. The judge was accommodating and explained everything fairly well. Also, lots of dirt bags out there |
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The city and town traffic court judges here are only part-time, and the small claims "judges" are actually volunteer lawyers. In both cases, they work as attorneys when they are not playing judge. 
I think years ago I had a case get kicked into some diversion court thing where we had a pretend trial with some lawyer at his office. I lost and filed the petition to have the case restored to the court's calendar for a real trial. That was in 1997, so anytime now we should get a trial date (my client told me to forget about it since it seemed like a bit of a railroad job to him) |
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Say what! What is this strange creature!? The state constitution guarantees a jury trial, so the case gets removed to district court if a jury is requested. I have only had a few cases in there, but it is a very strange thing to have a judge trying a case who you are litigating against in another court. 
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The "judges" are unpaid volunteers, and given the title of "Judges pro Tempore." They are usually middle ages lawyers trying to burnish their resume. Unlike misdemeanor justice court judges, they must be lawyers. The small claims court is not a court of record, and if you lose you can appeal to the district court for a trial de novo. But there is no appeal from district court. The state constitution guarantees a jury trial, so the case gets removed to district court if a jury is requested. 
I worked or a guy who was occasionally a American Arbitration Association arbitrator. He got paid something for it, not much, he did seem to enjoy playing judge. |
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My wife serves as a substitute judge in Virginia. But if she were a full time judge her name would have to be removed from the firm's name.
See page 11 of the link for information on how states handle the issue. http://www.ncsc.org/~/media/Files/PDF/Topics/Center%20for%20Judicial%20Ethics/Publications/EthicalIssuesforNewJudges.ashx |
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Yeah, I do traffic tickets sometimes. They are fairly simple. Usually the people who hire me do it because it costs less to hire me than to take time off work. Or they just don't want to deal with the hassle. Quoted:
Yeah, I do traffic tickets sometimes. They are fairly simple. Usually the people who hire me do it because it costs less to hire me than to take time off work. Or they just don't want to deal with the hassle. Not sure how well it would have went if the officer showed up (the reason it was dropped). I felt I had enough reasonable doubt for 20 over... The judge noticed I was from out of town and had a clean record, so he dismissed it. I also talked with someone before I went in, because I requested a accommodation for my sensory issues (I am on the spectrum), the judge was more then accommodating I felt (I thought it was going to be ignored, I never received a reply in the mail). I gave her a note from my therapist, same one I use in school for sensory issues. They complied and even moved me up, so I went right after the attorneys (I didn't expect that). The 
I don't know if I would do it again though, the anxiety is not worth it... I have a new respect for lawyers and police for dealing with the idiots. Quoted:
Interesting. The jurydooty, I has it this month. |
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My wife serves as a substitute judge in Virginia. But if she were a full time judge her name would have to be removed from the firm's name. See page 11 of the link for information on how states handle the issue. http://www.ncsc.org/~/media/Files/PDF/Topics/Center%20for%20Judicial%20Ethics/Publications/EthicalIssuesforNewJudges.ashx |
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"County Judges" in Texas don't have to be attorneys or even legally certified for any position. It's a purely political elected position.  As a cop who ends up in municipal court from time to time (because municipal court is mostly for traffic stuff) I much prefer a lawyer judge. They certainly have personalities that are obvious in how they do things, but at least they do things according to the system we are all trying to deal with. There is something to be said for people who do things by the rules. You know what to expect and what you need to do. |
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I will probably read this later, as I am curious. But basically she can't be a named, how about being a unnamed partner? I know on my sister's case, she had a senior partner if I recall and wasn't' named. But not as a substitute judge. In my area being a substitute judge is usually required before you are considered qualified for a full time appointment. |
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If she becomes a full time judge appointed by the General Assembly her name will have to be removed from the firm. But not as a substitute judge. In my area being a substitute judge is usually required before you are considered qualified for a full time appointment. |
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Not a judge, a "Traffic Hearing Officer". |
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I just reread this and what 103 wrote, that makes sense after looking it up. I do recall him telling someone they have an option of contesting or something along those lines; bringing it up in a higher court I believe. |