Fusion 360
In a personal injury lawsuit, one of the last things you would want is a bad judge. From prejudice to a fiery temper, the attributes of an unfair judge are easily recognized by your average lawyer. In states like Utah, personal injury cases may not be as common as in other places, but they do occur. Whether you’re the plaintiff or the defendant in a personal injury dispute, you’re going to want a good judge with positive attributes like the following.
You’ll want a judge who is intelligent and is able to perceive, comprehend and analyze new information. A lawyer who can correctly interpret legal rules can be just as helpful in a personal injury case as a good lawyer.
A judge who is not only familiar with the law, but who also has actual experience in the courtroom is going to be a plus. Judges usually begin their careers as lawyers, so a judge who knows the ropes is a good sign.
Judges who have the experience and intellect are not necessarily good judges — what if your educated, experience judge is a jerk? If the judge lacks patience, open-mindedness, compassion or humility, your case may become more complicated and difficult.
A judge’s ruling is not always the most popular one. Judges need to be brave and willing to make the hard verdicts they know to be legally right — even if they are frowned upon by most people.
The law is not notorious for staying the exact same way all of the time. Laws change and a good judge should continually attend legal education programs in order to be updated.
From New York to Utah, many people need to communicate in order to survive. And this includes judges. Good judges should be able to express themselves clearly, both verbally and in writing.
As redundant as it sounds, a judge should be in good physical shape in order to perform his or her duties. Judges should be able to handle stress; a prior history of stress-induced illnesses is not ideal in court.
A judge should have the self-discipline to resist any bribes or other pressures that may threaten his or her impartiality. If a judge has any bankruptcy or financial issues, this could lead to skewed verdicts or other serious problems.
Sara Bezdjian writes for Fusion 360, an advertising agency in Salt Lake City, Utah. She writes for Adams Davis PC and many other clients.
Fusion 360 is a group of writers and marketers in Salt Lake City providing content for local businesses.
