When Mr. Leohner returns, lock the door and don't let any attorneys leave."

Retired Judge Timothy Cissna was very strict about attorneys being in court on time and he did not tolerate the chit chat while cases were being called on record. Retired Judge Marilyn Miles also kept the courtroom calendar moving.

The attorneys sometimes leave the courtroom to chat with clients. Some attorneys are better than others and may leave the courtroom but check in to see if their cases are called.

On a day with 16 pages and 18 cases to call for the preliminary hearing calendar and  courtroom availability challenges, Visiting Judge Marjorie Carter had it with unneccessary delays caused by attorneys MIA.

Judge Carter has a great sense of humor. She cracked the "verbal" whip to corral the out of control attorneys.

It just so happened that Deputy Conflict Counsel R. J. Leohner was the one who got called out today. Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps went to look for him.

Judge Carter told bailiff Bryan Franco "When Mr. Leohner returns, lock the door and don't let any attorneys leave. Or post someone at the door, preferably someone with a gun."

Don't leave the Court until you have my permission," said Judge Carter told Mr. Leohner. Later, she told Mr. Leohner and Deputy Public Defender David Celli to go to Courtroom 1 and return when done "with no detours."

Adding to the humor, Mr. Celli quipped, " we won't even go to the bathroom."

Needless to say the lighthearted exchange had the desired effect and the preliminary hearing calendar proceeded smoothly thereafter.