Judge Returns to Alma Mater, Tells Students of Judiciary

WILDWOOD – When it comes to judges, Wildwood High School has a knack for turning them out. On Feb. 25, Superior Court Judge John Porto returned to the hallowed halls of his alma mater to speak with students about the judiciary and to hopefully light a spark that will enlighten yet another member of the Warrior Nation to set their goal toward a seat on the judicial bench.
“I graduated from Wildwood High School,” Porto said, “A long time ago in 1981. I’m the fifth of four other judges who are Wildwood High School graduates.”
Porto came to the school as part of a state program, “Judge for Yourself,” that allows students to meet a judge and understand what the job entails.
“We make decisions,” Porto told students who assembled in the school’s media center. He told students judges make decisions based on facts and the law, not on popular opinion. “Judges represent the rule of law; not the will of the majority,” said Porto.
The judge told students some of the criteria for becoming a judge of the Superior Court, including a law degree and 10 years’ experience as an attorney.
When asked what criteria they would use for selection to the bench, students were quick on their reply. Steadfastness, decision-making, knowledge, honesty, wisdom, experience, hard work, good people skills and the ability to communicate well were all on the list of requisites for a judge.
Porto serves Cape May County in its Family Court as well as Probate Court.
He explained when in a courtroom, placement of the bench allows the judge to sit higher than the rest of the courtroom allowing him visibility to see everyone in the room.
“There are people who don’t come to court often and this is a very big experience for them,” said Porto.
With a roomful of teenagers culled from the school’s college preparatory, honors and advanced placement history classes, the judge was quick to point out a real courtroom is very unlike a “reality” courtroom on television.
“Judges are not to intimidate people. People are there to resolve their differences,” he said.
According to Principal Christopher Gallagher, the judge’s appearance at school was scheduled to allow students to garner knowledge of the judicial system from the other side of the fence, or bench.
History teacher Jennifer Loper noted Porto’s visit to his alma mater was part of a statewide program.
After Porto’s presentation students were challenged to a game of Court Jeopardy with Porto filling in as Alex Trebek. Students were quizzed on questions such as how many congressmen are currently seated in the House of Representatives and who is the Cape May County’s assignment judge? With two teams vying for the coveted prize of a small, wooden gavel, the questioning was fast and furious.
With their prizes in hand, Porto told the small group, “I have a gavel and I’ve never used it.” He explained rather than banging a gavel he prefers to simply use his voice.
According to Porto, his appearance at the school was the first time he’s presented “Judge for Yourself.”
“I was very pleased being able to go back to my school,” he said. “I enjoyed it.”
Porto said he was happy to be able to bring information to the students and to provide the opportunity to learn about the judicial system.
Now that they’ve heard the judge, students will be able to visit the county courthouse where they’ll be able to view non-confidential proceedings and meet with Porto once again.
Law Day will be observed on May 1 of this year. Porto explained the theme of the upcoming observance is “Realizing the Dream: Equality for All.”
“What we wanted to do with the (school) program was reach out to the community to show the doors of the courthouse are open to everyone and that judges are part of their community,” said Porto, “and can hopefully be positive role models.”