Indiana Judges Association: Clarity can come with certain costs
Judges are decidedly impartial, but not necessarily unequivocally impartial.
David J. Dreyer
Articles
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.
Indiana Judges Association: Could judicial Olympics cure court budget woes?
Judge Dreyer comes up with a way to cure court budget woes and provide reality TV.
Indiana Judges Association: Is it time for an electoral college for judges?
Some people just do not like judges. But according to Indiana University Maurer School of Law professor Charles Geyh, most people do – at least up to a point.
Indiana Judges Association: Zen and the art of case management
So over many years, I found a kind of “sub-wisdom.” It came not from law study or research, but rather from living with real world cases.
Indiana Judges Association: Dealing with different takes on language
A trial judge’s job is often befuddling. We have to differentiate between peoples’ language, their values, even their competing views about what language means.
Indiana Judges Association:The Thinker 2.0
Have you been thinking lately? Judges and lawyers make a profession of “thinking,” of analyzing, balancing, applying, and just plain old wondering. But do we think like we used to?
Judge David Dreyer: Law is about people, emotion and all
My daughter lives in Oregon but she never calls. But the other night she did text. Of course I did not find it until later, and it simply reported in plain terms the largest historical event of her young adult life. No glee, no joy, just a simple statement about what happened in Pakistan. But I have not been able to stop thinking what made it so important to contact her parents.
Indiana Judges Association: Incivility Anonymous – help is available
Judge David Dreyer discusses being an uncivil-holic.
Indiana Judges Association: Protect ‘We (All) the People’
Judge David Dreyer writes about judges doing their jobs on controversial topics.