Indiana Judges Association: Justice Rucker: A lifetime of substantial justice
Justice Rucker showed there are ways a court can be sympathetic without the benefit of law or procedure and benefit a party even when they don’t “win.”
David J. Dreyer
Articles
Indiana Judges Association: Presidential inaugurations show judicial power
United States Chef Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office for President Donald Trump on Jan. 20. There is no law or provision indicating who shall give the presidential oath.
Indiana Judges Association: Are we ignoring an obvious truth?
Is due process any less of a right when a family faces eviction than when a person faces criminal charges? The legal profession has been trying to answer that question for about 100 years.
Indiana Judges Association: Will paper remain at the end of the e-filing tunnel?
The benefits of “going paperless” can be exciting. A municipal court in suburban Seattle recently reported saving $500,000 annually by e-filing.
Indiana Judges Association: Are we heading toward a ‘gig’ legal profession?
Changes in the legal landscape are of course parallel to what is happening everywhere. Lawyers used to function and prosper well during any economic or social circumstances. Law firms seemed to be immune to barriers and uncertainties facing other business entities. But today, as Jerry Garcia once wrote, “if the thunder don’t get ya, the lightnin’ will.”
Indiana Judges Association: How are we going to replace Justice Brent Dickson?
There is now a great opportunity to pick our next Supreme Court justice. But our problem is that we have to replace the irreplaceable Justice Brent Dickson.
Indiana Judges Association: 7 hopes on a judicial holiday wish list
As we complete a long, complicated year, my great judge journey leads me to a wish list. While wish lists are not uncommon for gift-giving season, or the start of a new year, this one is intended for regular rumination.
Indiana Judges Association: The online life of judges requires prudence
We legal professionals have a unique role to translate ancient theorems into optic fiber. Along with that obligation arises a longstanding devotion to ensuring the world understands what law is and has always been: an imperfect process to determine “facts” and apply the rules.
Indiana Judges Association: Clarity can come with certain costs
Judges are decidedly impartial, but not necessarily unequivocally impartial.
Indiana Judges Association: Law, time and judgment are shared responsibilities
When New York City claimed 20-30 inches of snow were coming (and got less than 10), I was reminded of so many lawyers who claim three days for their case (but only use one). All of us on the bench or bar tailor our talents toward forming our best judgments. Such a responsibility necessarily includes the talented due consideration of time.
Indiana Judges Association: The legal profession’s Top Ten list of legal quotes
Drawing upon Mr. David Letterman’s famous comic premise – the Top Ten List – we judges and lawyers would do well to take a similar look at our professional selves. So, for what it’s worth, see this judge’s Top Ten legal quotes, starting with No. 1 (and explanations). Of course, very few of them were said by lawyers.
Indiana Judges Association: Judges struggle with ‘rule of law’ questions daily
As judges, we struggle with “rule of law” questions every day. The gray areas between a fact and a supposition dog our paths. The tension between the letter of the law and the conscience of the community complicate our considerations. In some cases, the rule of law just seems to be unjust. But overall, the true meaning of “rule of law” should not be a barrier.
Indiana Judges Association: Officiating same-sex marriages leaves judge optimistic
On June 25, 2014, and the next day, I officiated over 50 same-sex marriages. For reasons I did not expect, it may have changed my life.
Indiana Judges Association: Judging from the mountaintop
If judges wore wigs in the United States, there might be a marked increase, I say, in public confidence in our courts. Hopefully, it would not be outweighed by any marked increase in public satire, but it could not be any worse than the judge shows now on daytime TV. The public always needs to understand that courts are serious and judges are different. More importantly, it is necessary to understand why.
Indiana Judges Association: What you need to know about state judges
While there may (or may not) be a big difference between horses and humans, there may not be any difference between horse judging and human judging. After all, judging is a fundamental objective endeavor.
Indiana Judges Association: ‘You can’t eat the Constitution’
Like most judges, Shay Minton’s achievements were numerous, but largely unmeasured.
Indiana Judges Association: Are changes needed to ‘change of judge’ rule?
Marion Superior Judge David Dreyer discusses the "Change of Judge" rule in this issue of Indiana Lawyer.
Indiana Judges Association: Judges need to take control of cultural standing
Have you ever Googled “lawyer dog”? If you do, be prepared to see a limitless line of websites all featuring identical photos of the same canine seated behind his desk, along with various one-liners related to the law, dogs and just silliness.
Indiana Judges Association: Judges are good government partners
Judge David Dreyer writes a letter to Gov. Mike Pence about how to make people more legally literate.
Indiana Judges Association: Do media measure up in court coverage?
We judges are obligated to actually ignore popular opinion or preference and apply the law, but we are further constrained to not discuss our decisions on talk shows or interviews. Yet, public confidence in courts is more important than any other branch of government because people need to believe in us or they will not believe or obey our rulings.