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July 18, 2008

 
High Profile Case Checklist
The Judicial Family Institute asked high profile case veteran judges and their partners or other family members how the rest of us can prepare in case such a trial should come our way. Advance preparation and family discussion can minimize the impact of a high profile case. Factors or ideas to consider ahead of time include:
  • A “Buddy Judge” and “Partner Mentor” who have been through a similar trial or appeal
  • Information and assistance from state supreme court or local public information staff
  • Urban/Rural differences apply in the planning process
  • Special attention to exercise, recreation, good nutrition, spirituality, and relaxation during, before, and after trial. Vacations before and/or after serve well. Personal physician counsel is also helpful
  • Decompression time- - judges and partners take at least 10 minute relaxation break between work activities and home
  • The “bigger picture”- - realizing the inconvenience to you and your family is a very small price to pay for living in a country ruled by law rather than anarchy and chaos
  • Extra security for home and family
  • Benefit of drawing on your relationships with media reporters to help them understand the importance of leaving names and pictures of family and home out of news stories
  • Press release to reinforce privacy of family and home
  • Judges’ avoiding reference to their family members in courtroom and with reporters
  • Breakfast conversation about the morning headlines to prepare family for responses to peers and teachers
  • Support from family, friends, other judicial families
  • Practical assistance: lawn mowing, house repairs, hot meals, car-pooling , babysitting
  • Presence for conversation and encouragement
  • Age appropriate attention to children missing judicial parent
  • Temporary housing during time of some trials

    JFI welcomes your additions to this list.

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