Miscellaneous

Swearing In

By Anne Skove, Esq.

Jurors, witnesses, and lawyers are sworn in in courts every day. A local (to us) judge has given a whole new meaning to "swearing in court."

Hint: if the oath begins with the letter F, avoid saying it in front of Judge Robert Ruehlman in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas.

According to Judge Ruehlman's own introduction, he is "pretty low-key." He is open to use of various extras, such as blackboards, power point presentations, or projectors. Approaching the bench or jury is no big deal. He doesn't ask for undue formality. If you're late, fine, just be courteous -- let the court know, and give a valid reason. Sounds like the judge would do the same for you.

Sounds fair. Judge Ruehlman doesn't discuss swearing in the statement -- perhaps he thinks it goes without saying. Two recent cases illustrate his disgust with foul language. They also illustrate his sense of fairness.

Early last week, an alleged member of the local "Taliband" gang was sentenced to 6 months for contempt for swearing in the courtroom. Judge Ruehlman proved that justice is blind but not deaf later in the week when he meted out the exact same sentence to an attorney.

Full post as published by court-o-rama.org on December 08, 2008 (boomark / email).