Federal Judge Up And Quits Case After Getting Annoyed With Attorney

//

(Image via Getty)

Sometimes you’ve just reached your limit with a particular person/situation. And rather than dig in deeper, it’s time to just walk away. (At least that’s what I understand a healthy emotional response to be, while my reality often involves a lot more yelling.) Anyway, it looks like district court judge Otis Wright of the Central District of California has that particular life skill on lockdown.

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Enable lazy loading. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ renderMarginPercent: 150, mobileScaling: 2 }); // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-top-300x250" ); googletag.enableServices(); });

As reported by Law360, Judge Wright recused himself from a case with an “OK. We’re done. Seriously, we are done.” Which is like the most relatable a federal judge has ever been.

Sponsored Connected Legal Playbook Provides Answers To In-House Legal Challenges The Connected Legal Playbook empowers in-house legal teams to optimize productivity, optimize engagement, be proactive, and have a greater impact on the business. From LAWVU

So, what actually happened? In a criminal case, Callie G. Steele of the Federal Public Defenders Office requested a mistrial arguing that the jury could see her client in ankle shackles, which is contrary to Ninth Circuit precedent. While noting the catch-22 of trying to suss out what the jury saw, Judge Wright indicated he’d grant the mistrial:

“The only way to find out would be — we would have to interview each and every one of them. ‘Did you see shackles? Did you see shackles?'” the judge said. “And by doing that, we’re going to alert everyone for certain that she’s in custody, and that defeats the purpose. So I’m going to grant your motion. And this is going to be a big inconvenience to an awful lot of people. The government had people, you know, coming from out of town, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, but so be it.”

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Enable lazy loading. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ renderMarginPercent: 150, mobileScaling: 2 }); // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-middle-300x250" ); googletag.enableServices(); }); googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Enable lazy loading. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ renderMarginPercent: 150, mobileScaling: 2 }); // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-storycontent-440x100" ); googletag.enableServices(); }); googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Enable lazy loading. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ renderMarginPercent: 150, mobileScaling: 2 }); // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-in-story-youtube-1x1" ); googletag.enableServices(); });

Damaris Diaz, from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, wanted to consider potential alternatives short of a mistrial. As the judge and Diaz were discussing this, Steele stood and asked to be heard.

And that’s when that final straw, it broke the camel’s back:

Sponsored Sponsored Purchasing AI For eDiscovery: New, Now, And Next Don’t drown in a sea of data. Here’s how you can embark on the next leg of your eDiscovery journey with the right AI tool. From Above The Law and Lighthouse Sponsored Why Annual Budgeting Isn’t Enough Anymore The how, what, and when of legal forecasting From Above The Law and Axiom Sponsored Connected Legal Playbook Provides Answers To In-House Legal Challenges The Connected Legal Playbook empowers in-house legal teams to optimize productivity, optimize engagement, be proactive, and have a greater impact on the business. From LAWVU Sponsored Purchasing AI For eDiscovery: New, Now, And Next Don’t drown in a sea of data. Here’s how you can embark on the next leg of your eDiscovery journey with the right AI tool. From Above The Law and Lighthouse

“Did I not give you what you asked for?” the judge asked Steele, before telling her to sit down.

“Your Honor, I would like to address the government’s proposal,” Steele said.

“And I’m going to recuse myself,” the judge said. “OK. We’re done. Seriously, we are done. I am no longer able to dispassionately play this game anymore, because this is like fun and games, and I do believe that intentional misrepresentations are being made to the court. I’m going to recuse myself. I’m declaring a mistrial. It will go back on the calendar, go back on the wheel for reassignment. We are done.”

With that, Judge Wright’s OUT, y’all.

Judge Fernando M. Olguin got the reassigned case. And don’t you wish getting yourself off that case you hate was this easy?

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Enable lazy loading. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ renderMarginPercent: 150, mobileScaling: 2 }); // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-bottom-300x250" ); googletag.enableServices(); });

Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

Sponsored Sponsored Successful Finance Practice In New York Seeks Mid to Senior Finance Associate Attorney Four years experience representing lenders and / or borrowers required. Apply within. From KINNEY RECRUITING Sponsored First Impressions Are Worth Millions For Summers. Here’s How To Get Yours Right. A practical, no-nonsense guide to being a memorable summer associate — the good kind of memorable. From Kinney Recruiting Topics

Courts, Judge Otis Wright, Judicial Ethics, Mistrials