SOC205 - WEEK 7 - DISCUSSION 1

SOCIETY, LAW AND GOVERNMENT

"Influences on Judicial Decision Making"

From the e-Activity, describe at least three (3) influences on decision making by a judge. Indicate at least two (2) reasons why you believe these influences are the most influential to the process. Justify your response.

Three influences on decision making by a judge consist of as follows:

• Localism
• Region to region differentiation in administering law and making decisions
• Impact of public opinion

Two reasons why I believe these influences are the most influential to the process of decision making is first the locality has different laws and procedures to follow as well as each region has different structuralized courts and as thus each court has different regulations and procedures in each court room. Further each court is bound pretty much by public opinion because nothing can be facilitated or carried out unless there is a reasonable degree of public support.

Attorney Joe Smith has established regular interactions with many of the local judges in the town where his practice is located and has built professional relationships with them. Discuss at least two (2) advantages that Joe’s professional relationships would afford him if he wants to postpone a case until a more favorable judge is available. Provide a rationale for your response.

Two advantages that Joe’s professional relationship would afford him if he wants to postpone a case until a more favorable judge is available would be due to familiarity, reputation for honesty and fairness in profession and presenting of case and the possibility of having his case be viewed more favorably before his presentation.

As in all cases, the more the possibility of selecting a judge that has tendency toward leniency in a direction is always a facilitory purpose in acquiring the ultimate goal of winning and who may be more open toward delicate cases.

Thank you.

Felicia

SOCIETY, LAW AND GOVERNMENT
WEEK 7 - DISCUSSION 1
RESPONSE TO CO-STUDENT

I agree with your points about decision making but a judge has to be careful to not become overly familiar in any case and must remain distant.

Also, a professional relationship does not include a tête-à-tête or where the meetings can be viewed as compromise. Separating and distancing becomes difficult and I feel objectivity is questionable.

Thank you.

Felicia