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CommentThis summer, Napa County Superior Court opened the doors of the judges’ chambers to local high school, college and law students, offering a new internship program so young people could see our judicial leaders at work.
So who are these figures we place on pillars of judicial authority, these robed rock-stars of reason? Here is what we, this year’s interns, discovered.
So who are these figures we place on pillars of judicial authority, these robed rock-stars of reason? Here is what we, this year’s interns, discovered.
Our judges are not unfeeling computers. They are empathetic people, tuned in to who we are and what we stand for as a community. Though justice may be blind, the men and women at the court have their eyes wide open!
As the court’s presiding judge, Raymond Guadagni may intimidate at first. However, the fear quickly dissipates. How can you fear a judge who gives out teddy bears during adoption ceremonies or bakes cakes for jurors?
As the court’s presiding judge, Raymond Guadagni may intimidate at first. However, the fear quickly dissipates. How can you fear a judge who gives out teddy bears during adoption ceremonies or bakes cakes for jurors?
Often next to Judge Guadagni is the sharp deputy Scott Spain, the bailiff who escorts interns past the bar, beyond which few are allowed to travel, to the back hallways and Judge Guadagni’s chambers.
Judge Diane Price presides over criminal cases with an unwavering gavel. We observed Judge Price direct a sentencing hearing in which two brilliant women argued — Napa County Deputy District Attorney Allison Hayley and Deputy Public Defender Kris Keeley. The sight of three powerful women at work was inspirational, and illustrated how the legal profession welcomes anyone with the discipline to follow its path.
Judge Diane Price presides over criminal cases with an unwavering gavel. We observed Judge Price direct a sentencing hearing in which two brilliant women argued — Napa County Deputy District Attorney Allison Hayley and Deputy Public Defender Kris Keeley. The sight of three powerful women at work was inspirational, and illustrated how the legal profession welcomes anyone with the discipline to follow its path.
Judge Francisca Tisher provides another strong female presence, managing a variety of civil suits and mediations. Watching her mediate a family dispute or medical malpractice conflict is like sitting courtside at an athletic match. Further, her uplifting sense of humor and willingness to share her knowledge kept the interns knocking on her chamber doors.
Before meeting Judge Stephen Kroyer, one can attain a sense of his reputation for perfection from the secretaries who sing the praises of working with such an organized jurist. We also enjoyed Kroyer’s command of the courtroom, where his every word was meticulously and eloquently selected to clarify his interpretation of the law.
Judge Rodney Stone’s watchful eyes oversee all types of criminal matters. On Monday he might zip through arraignments, On Friday, he’d dig through a trial schedule. It can be a confusing whirlwind, but his enthusiasm, and that of his bailiff, deputy John Accardo, shines through.
Mark Boessenecker is Napa’s newest judge. We had little chance to watch him work, as he has been at California’s Judicial College preparing for life on the bench after 18 years of prosecuting criminal matters in Napa and San Mateo counties.
Commissioners Monique Langhorne-Johnson and Michael Williams fill out the bench. Commissioner Langhorne-Johnson impressively glided into her position before her 32nd birthday. Presiding over misdemeanors, her youth is an asset: she is approachable and relates well to those who appear before her.
Commissioner Williams’ journey to the court was also unusual. Changing career paths left him with an unflinching optimism regarding the law. Even after a day resolving divorces and child custody battles, Commissioner Williams halted his calendar to answer all of our questions.
Retired Judges Donald Fretz and Philip Champlin shared their wisdom while serving, as they frequently do, in an active role.
Judge Champlin may be found calmly guiding family law or juvenile cases to successful conclusions. Judge Fretz will let nothing keep him away from the court every Friday, juggling mediations and refereeing multi-million-dollar quarrels.
The internship program would not be so rewarding without tireless Neil Bowman-Davis and Tammy Glathe. As the family law facilitator, Bowman-Davis is booked, but he always had time to dispense nuggets of wisdom and decompress after a busy day. Glathe, the program manager, has a well-earned reputation for perfection and dedication.
This human side of the court is something we too often miss, shielded by the pomp and circumstance of black robes, complex procedure and legal language. But students now have the opportunity to peek behind the scenes and discover how incredible these people really are, and how the court really operates.
For more information about the court’s continuing internship program, contact the Court Executive Office at 299-1110.
Courthouse Corner appears on the second Tuesday of each month. Information in the column is provided by Napa County Superior Court.
Before meeting Judge Stephen Kroyer, one can attain a sense of his reputation for perfection from the secretaries who sing the praises of working with such an organized jurist. We also enjoyed Kroyer’s command of the courtroom, where his every word was meticulously and eloquently selected to clarify his interpretation of the law.
Judge Rodney Stone’s watchful eyes oversee all types of criminal matters. On Monday he might zip through arraignments, On Friday, he’d dig through a trial schedule. It can be a confusing whirlwind, but his enthusiasm, and that of his bailiff, deputy John Accardo, shines through.
Mark Boessenecker is Napa’s newest judge. We had little chance to watch him work, as he has been at California’s Judicial College preparing for life on the bench after 18 years of prosecuting criminal matters in Napa and San Mateo counties.
Commissioners Monique Langhorne-Johnson and Michael Williams fill out the bench. Commissioner Langhorne-Johnson impressively glided into her position before her 32nd birthday. Presiding over misdemeanors, her youth is an asset: she is approachable and relates well to those who appear before her.
Commissioner Williams’ journey to the court was also unusual. Changing career paths left him with an unflinching optimism regarding the law. Even after a day resolving divorces and child custody battles, Commissioner Williams halted his calendar to answer all of our questions.
Retired Judges Donald Fretz and Philip Champlin shared their wisdom while serving, as they frequently do, in an active role.
Judge Champlin may be found calmly guiding family law or juvenile cases to successful conclusions. Judge Fretz will let nothing keep him away from the court every Friday, juggling mediations and refereeing multi-million-dollar quarrels.
The internship program would not be so rewarding without tireless Neil Bowman-Davis and Tammy Glathe. As the family law facilitator, Bowman-Davis is booked, but he always had time to dispense nuggets of wisdom and decompress after a busy day. Glathe, the program manager, has a well-earned reputation for perfection and dedication.
This human side of the court is something we too often miss, shielded by the pomp and circumstance of black robes, complex procedure and legal language. But students now have the opportunity to peek behind the scenes and discover how incredible these people really are, and how the court really operates.
For more information about the court’s continuing internship program, contact the Court Executive Office at 299-1110.
Courthouse Corner appears on the second Tuesday of each month. Information in the column is provided by Napa County Superior Court.
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MarshaMarsha wrote on Jul 8, 2008 9:52 AM:
The columnists are correct, judges are not unfeeling computers. They are just people like all of us. Naked and harmless under their black robes. They feel anger, make stupid mistakes, have strange habits, and some of them likely partied like a "robed rock star" at University. Why didn't you write about any of that stuff? The NVR has no qualms about disclosing those things about the ordinary folks who have to appear before these judges.
Sure, they may be doing swell jobs, but if you want to make these people appear more like the rest of us don't write stuff that puts them on a high pedastal above the community. This column is nothing more than biased fluff. Bah! "
marine1/1 wrote on Jul 8, 2008 11:22 AM:
FevreFan wrote on Jul 8, 2008 3:53 PM:
As I do not know, nor have I served with the other judges, I cannot comment on them.
But to say "...nothing more than biased fluff.", I think not. If one may ask, have you ever served with these judges? "
just sayin wrote on Jul 8, 2008 5:05 PM:
A couple of interns wrote a column for the paper. It's a COLUMN, not a news story. It's written by INTERNS, not objective reporters. I'm certain they are young and impressionable, just starting out in their careers. From what I understand about the character and dedication of many of our judges, they are fine role models for young people who could use a good role model. Nothing more, nothing less. "
MarshaMarsha wrote on Jul 8, 2008 8:34 PM:
To FevreFan: Mr. Guadagni is a fine and respectable man. Previos to his career as a juror his law office handled a civil case for me. He's good. I won. 'Nuff said. But this column makes it sound like all the jurors in our courhouse walk on water and smell like roses. And THAT is biased fluff.
To just sayin: Interns Connell and Mains are likely intelligent young people who will use criticism of their column to write something even better next time. Right? The minute we lighten up, the next minute people get lazy. Remember Watergate? Wouldn't be much of a story if a couple of reporters had decided to "lighten up", don'cha think? "