Subject Index Judges and Judiciary

Mandatory retirement age for judges ruled unconstitutional

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2009
LawPulse
, Page 438
The Illinois Supreme Court rules that the statute requiring judges to retire at age 75 is unconstitutional and says mandating retirement for judges might require constitutional amendment.

Postjudgement Sanctions: Do Trial Courts Have Too Little Power?

By Professor Jeffrey A. Parness
June
2009
Column
, Page 314
Illinois judges should be free to impose sanctions for misconduct after final judgement and on behalf of nonparties if the facts warrant.

The Power Behind the Robe: A Primer on Contempt Law

By Timothy L. Bertschy & Nathaniel E. Strickler
May
2009
Article
, Page 246
The power of contempt is a confusing mix of civil and criminal law concepts overlaid with constitutional implications. Here's a review.

New laws criminalize interference with the duties of a judicial officer. PA 095-1035

April
2009
Illinois Law Update
, Page 174
Illinois lawmakers amended the Criminal Code of 1961 by adding two new sections making it a crime to interfere with the duties of a judicial officer, or attempt to bribe an officer's immediate family, staff, or other court employees. 720 ILCS 5/32-4e, 32-4f.

Court’s failure to grant continuance plain error

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
March
2009
LawPulse
, Page 116
The high court rules that a judge’s failure to grant defense counsel’s request for a continuance in a murder trial was plain error requiring a new trial.

A Judge’s Judge

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2008
Cover Story
, Page 448
In Thomas Fitzgerald, the Illinois Supreme Court has a seasoned trial judge at the helm. Here’s an interview with the new chief.

Correspondence from Our Readers

July
2008
Column
, Page 330
Sharia law? Voluntary dismissal; confrontation clause; HUD-1 form.st.

Correspondence from Our Readers

June
2008
Column
, Page 274
 Sharia law; Rukavina and law-related services.

Felzak and Ligon: an answer to judicial overactivism?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
April
2008
LawPulse
, Page 174
What if a judge surprises you by entering an order on a substantive matter at what was supposed to be a mere status hearing? Some lawyers apprise the court of two appellate cases.

Problem-Solving Courts

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
April
2008
Cover Story
, Page 184
Supporters of drug, mental-health, and other specialty courts say they reduce recidivism and help offenders get control of their lives.

Asked and Answered

November
2007
Column
, Page 610
What do you do with a difficult judge?

Judicial Evaluation -De Facto Merit Selection?

By Joseph G. Bisceglia
September
2007
Column
, Page 452
By educating voters, bar groups can counter special interests.

A Day for Justice

By Irene F. Bahr
May
2007
Column
, Page 228
Raising awareness about judicial independence is more important than ever.

Correspondence from Our Readers

January
2007
Column
, Page 6
Don't be afraid to substitute judges.

Defamation per se of candidate requires more than mean-spirited hyperbole

January
2007
Illinois Law Update
, Page 14
The Illinois Appellate Court, Fifth District, recently affirmed the decision of the Circuit Court of Madison County, dismissing a defamation action brought by Maag, a judge in a retention election. 

Impaired Lawyers: Helping Before the Bell Tolls

By Hon. Ron Spears
November
2006
Column
, Page 626
Don't take advantage of impaired judges and adversaries; help them

Judicial Independence: A Citizen’s Right

By Irene F. Bahr
November
2006
Column
, Page 576
Judicial Independence: A Citizen's Right

Substitution of Judges: Proceed with Caution

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2006
Cover Story
, Page 590
Lawyers and judges speculate about whether and when moving for substitution is really the right move.

Voter Information and Judicial Retention Elections in Illinois

By Albert J. Klumpp
October
2006
Article
, Page 538
Are judicial retention elections impervious to information-based voting? An analysis of voting patterns suggests not.

MCLE for judges

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
May
2006
LawPulse
, Page 222
Judges, too, are on the hook for mandatory CLE, the Illinois Supreme Court announced last month. 

The Circuit Courts Act is amended to reduce judgeships in the 19th and 22nd judicial circuits PA 094-0727

April
2006
Illinois Law Update
, Page 174
Effective February 14, 2006, the Circuit Courts Act (Act), 705 ILCS 35/2 et seq, was amended to reduce the number of judgeships in the 19th and 22nd circuits. 

Must trial judges grant special favors to pro se litigants?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
February
2006
LawPulse
, Page 62
Judges often cut pro se litigants a lot of slack. 

Bench-bar ombudsmen

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
January
2006
LawPulse
, Page 10
Bar association programs are helping lawyers and judges resolve minor conflicts while they're still minor.

Judges’ Pet Peeves: Peevish Practitioners, Poor Preparation and More

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
January
2006
Cover Story
, Page 20
From needless discovery squabbles and poor preparation among the bar to high-handedness on the bench, judges tell what bugs them.

The 2004 Allerton House Conference: Balancing Economy, Efficiency, and Fairness

By Jeffrey A. Parness
November
2004
Article
, Page 590
This year's conference addressed court funding, litigation expenses, settlement talks, and more.

Larry the Lizard’s Near-Death Experience

By Hon. Ron Spears
November
2004
Column
, Page 600
The search for justice yields a solution worthy of Solomon.

Reining in Outside Influence on Judicial Campaigns

By Ole Bly Pace
October
2004
Column
, Page 506
 ISBA monitors the tone and conduct of judicial campaigns.

Applying the Frye Standard to Expert Testimony; A Guide for Lawyers and Judges

By Hon. Robert J. Steigmann
July
2004
Article
, Page 363
Here's an appellate court justice's framework for analyzing Frye issues.

Motion to vacate judgment is not a new action entitling litigants to a substitution of judge as of right.

January
2004
Illinois Law Update
, Page 16
On October 29, 2003, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District, affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of Fayette County denying the defendants' motion for substitution of judge.

Judges must warn immigrants that guilty pleas can lead to deportation

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2003
LawPulse
, Page 544
A new law requires judges to warn immigrant defendants that their plea bargains can lead to deportation.

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