Loose wire under Judge's chair derails livestream

Judge Lawrence Killoran moves a turtle pace compared to other local Judges. Almost a year and half and local court by Zoom is plagued with technical issues and the usual Humboldt court delay.  This afternoon was one of those days were everything was in extra slow motion. So over it.

The fact that Judge Killoran is a nice guy does not help on days where there are constant issues. You need someone to bring down the gavel and get everyone in line like Retired Judge Marilyn Miles or Retired Judge Timothy Cissna.

It is so good when the retired Judges fill in because even with Zoom and the present scheduling chaos, things are run efficiently. There is decorum. Can't tell with some bailiffs, attoneys or Judges if you think you are having a pint of beer or appearing in court? 

Court started a few minutes late. It always does no matter what courtroom or calendar Judge Killoran is calling. Then we wait while he shuffles papers around, organizing and doing who knows what. Every case takes several minutes and then he thanks everyone for coming to court. As one defendant said, he did not have a choice. Judge Killoram has not been assigned to one single trial so we have the other four criminal court Judges calling  calendars and doing trial after trial. Why are we needing a Del Norte Superior Court Judge to do a trial and Retired Judges to fill in? All this costs extra money. 

No one could figure out why everyone else could hear the attorneys and the jail conference room this afternoon but the Judge could not. The bailiff tried to troubleshoot. For 15 minutes we sat around and went through Humboldt court's version of "Can you hear me now? Now?"

Finally, court tech Brian to the rescue. In two minutes he found the culprit, a loose wire under the Judge's chair. The bailiff quipped, "It is the Judge's fault." 

Respect for court or any authority comes when you conduct yourself with professionalism and becoming of your position. 

Court was ridiculously late already and we have public defenders requesting to talk to clients and these were long conversations. The worst one was waiting for what was almost half an hour for two ASL interpreters and the attorney to talk to a client in jail. Then more time wasted in court on that case. Judge Killoran is one of the less tech savvy judges and he isn't the only one. So a request for a breakout room on this case meant court tech has to assist. I get that public defenders need to talk to clients and COVID has made it hard but in a row with request after request it adds up and this isn't conference with your client time. Get to the point.

A busy calendar and at 3 and 3:30, Courtroom 5 is still doing 1:29 arraignments and parole violations. Have respect for other people's times including your fellow attorneys. 

The state is reopening June 15 COVID restrictions are easing. Fully vaccinated people are not a risk. Time to get back to business as it was pre COVID. Time for Humboldt courts and local government "playtime" at work to end. Keeping the public out is encouraging more slacking off than usual. Instead of more efficiency,  online has caused delays in local government business.