In his latest column for The Recorder, Justice Bedsworth tells the story of the last time he went for weeks without a haircut (it sounds pretty serious, actually, a cerebral aneurysm in 1988 requiring cranial surgery). He also has some news on how telephonic appellate arguments have been going so far in the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three:
We’re doing telephonic oral arguments now. I’ve learned to limit my questions; there’s a short time delay in the telephonic connection and a question often interrupts an attorney who’s already started another thought. It can throw off their timing and make it hard for them to stay on topic.
And no unnecessary comments. It’s been my practice to make occasional efforts to say things that will relax the attorneys before me. Relaxed people perform better than nervous ones. But that doesn’t work with telephonic oral arguments. Turns out statements from someone whose smile cannot be seen are ineffective as tension dampers.
Stay safe, Justice Bedsworth, and thanks for the window in. (For a roundup of advice on remote appellate arguments, see this blog post.)
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