Wacky agency of the month: Cameras in court would show our inept magistrates
This story out of Arizona regarding cameras in courtrooms will make you shutter - with laughter. A court rule is being considered by the state Supreme Court to require judges to outline their arguments for prohibiting cameras in the courtroom. Currently, judges can bar cameras for any reason and not justify their decision. Most folks are in favor of the proposed rule change, including judicial leaders in the Phoenix area. But the presiding judges from Greenlee and Mohave counties issued written comments opposing the rule change for the dumbest reason I think I've ever seen put in writing: Cameras shouldn't be allowed in courtrooms because "(s)ome of our non-lawyer JPs and Magistrates may not truly reflect the highest levels of professionalism or knowledge, which would reflect poorly upon the judiciary as a whole."
In other words, we have bozo yahoos overseeing justice in our counties and if cameras were in the courtroom the public might actually see that. And then they might think we are bozo yahoos. And I guess they would be thinking correctly, and might actually demand professional and knowledgeable magistrates. Case closed!