Tag Archives: Joseph Wapner

When I was on the bench, I used to have a yellow pad, and I put on the pad at the beginning of the day, 'patience' and 'restraint.' Joseph Wapner

I realized that a great deal of life is exactly and precisely about being able to feel pain: my own and other people's. Joseph Wapner

I was the only Jew who'd ever been elected, and I don't know when there'll be another. Joseph Wapner

People think I'm kind and considerate and that I listen and evaluate and give each party a chance to talk. The public's perception of judges seems to be improving because of what I'm doing, and that makes me happy. Joseph Wapner

Judges should decide legal disputes. Judges should not make law. Joseph Wapner

People say, 'I'm only suing for the principle of the thing,' and I reply that I can't give you principle – only money. Joseph Wapner

Sometimes I don't even deliberate. I just decide from the bench, it's so obvious. The beautiful part is that I have carte blanche. Joseph Wapner

I'm trying to demystify the whole process. Make it simple, make it palatable. I want people to have respect for the law, and I want to educate people on the basics of the law. Joseph Wapner

A judge is not a god or a king. He has the last word most of the time, but sometimes, one makes mistakes. Joseph Wapner

I'm just an ordinary judge from California. Joseph Wapner