Thank Goodness, It’s the Law

May 1 will be Law Day. Justice’s wheels turn daily, not only on May Day. Often we non-judicial folks have a rather skewed view of the law. From our vantage, the law frequently seems to favor those who can afford the best attorneys to fight and fight and fight, ever searching for that thread that can unravel a case, and set their client free. Fortunately, that is not always the case. The law is supposed to apply equally with no one too high and mighty to put his or her nose above it.
Only last week, in these pages, was the story of a murder victim’s family whose members felt they were denied justice. That was because the court would not allow a one-day delay so they could hear two men take responsibility for their actions and enter guilty pleas. As the story indicated, first assistant prosecutor said they will get their time to confront the slayers in court at the day of sentencing.
Since a one-day visit to the Richard J. Hughes Justice Center in Trenton in 2013 to meet with Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and other court officials, I have had somewhat more respect for the courts and the law. I came to the realization that newspaper reporters and judges are just about in the same boat, except their pay is far greater and they wear black robes. But, on a daily basis, both, it seems, manage to satisfy half the people and anger the other half.
To this day, I cannot imagine being a judge in Family Court. Think about it, every day, as you eat breakfast, thinking about the day ahead, half those who come before you will smile at your decision while the other half will spit at the mention of your name. It’s a thankless job, but we know there are deep rewards, and they all do not come on payday.
If time is abundant for you, and you want to see how complicated issues can become, and you’re tired of watching Judge Judy on TV, visit njcourtsonline.com. On the upper right hand side of the page, click on Opinions. The menu will appear that includes a list including Appellate and Supreme Court as well as Trial and Tax court opinions. On a daily basis there are perhaps 10 or 15 Appellate cases, click on a few and start to read the decision.
Keep in mind, those cases have already gone through lower courts, and someone was not satisfied with the outcome. The ones selected for review go before a panel of judges who must weigh the points of each case again. Names of the judges on that panel are at the top of the decision. Supreme Court cases are quite the same, but they are the final word in New Jersey.
Some cases are almost comical to read while others hang on the finest points of law.
After reading a number of these decisions, I guarantee the reader will have a decidedly different view of law than before he or she started.
Among the saddest cases are cases where the court must ultimately decide the custody of a minor child. Fortunately, only initials are used to protect the children. After reading some of those cases, in which the parents feel they have been cheated out of their rights, one can only feel the emotion of the panel of judges who had to decide who will live with whom for years to come.
Inmates, too, file their fair share of appeals, hoping to trip up the system or shorten their sentences.
All that shows the law covers everyone good and bad.
The American Bar Association defines Law Day as: “A national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law. Law Day underscores how law and the legal process have contributed to the freedoms that all Americans share.”
Cape May County Bar Association will begin the day at the Superior Courthouse, 9 N. Main St., Court House at 9 a.m. when it honors the mock trial team from Middle Township High School. Following the ceremony held in a courtroom, the team members will share their experiences with upcoming high school students and encourage them to take part in the mock trial program.
From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the rear lobby of the courthouse, displays from various agencies and departments will be open to the public.
The courts are changing, attempting to become more accessible and more transparent. There was a time, about 42 years ago, when cameras were absolutely forbidden in courtrooms. I remember on Law Day, when the historic courthouse was filled with students from area high schools. A Superior Court judge granted me special permission to snap a photo inside that courtroom, with the caveat that he not be in the courtroom at the time. It’s almost laughable to think of that today, but that’s the way it was.
While we may not always agree with the law, consider other nations that have no law, where those with swords make their own laws, and behead those who simply are not of their faith, if indeed they have one. I will choose life in a land where law prevails, and judges must daily abide by its precepts.