Courtroom crossfire
Judges are allowed to carry handguns in courthouses.
A bill filed last week seeks to extend the same privilege to prosecutors.
I understand that dangerous people are drawn to courthouses. Some of them might be inclined to attack a judge or prosecutor.
But who says the judge and DA won't take shots at each other?
"Permission to approach the bench, your honor?"
"Granted. Just keep your hands where I can see them."
Or ...
"Objection, your honor!"
"Objection overruled!"
"Overrule my .38, you old fool!"
"Go ahead and make my day, counselor!"
Before long, the defendant might be the least dangerous character in the courtroom.
Comments (2)
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It isn't the prosecutors who are at greatest risk- it is those of us in private practice who practice domestic law.
Almost every time a lawyer gets shot or shot at, it's related to a domestic case as opposed to some criminal matter.
I suppose if the bill passes, the judge and the D.A. can have a gun, but not the defense lawyer. Once again, the scales of justice would be tipped heavily in favor of the State with the judge and the prosecutor on equal footing, but not the defense.
Posted on June 5, 2008 5:50 PM
Sam, you're a pistol.
Posted on June 5, 2008 9:30 PM