Unfortunately, “burn out” can come with anyone’s job and judges are not any different. They just shouldn’t publicize it – this is one of those “silence with dignity” issues.
The public holds them to higher standards and we want to believe they are on top of their game and we should expect them to be. They are paid well and the benefits they reap are well worth with it for them. In other words, if they don’t like it, they don’t need to apply for the job or quit – that is what most of us do or we suffer the “burnout” because we can’t afford to quit or we get fired. “Boo Hoo,” but I don’t possess a whole lot of empathy for judicial burnout and they certainly didn’t need a frigging handbook for it.
Judges in Idaho were graced with a special handbook this last year. It’s called The Judicial Family Handbook. It was created by the Judicial Wellness Committee which consists of a hand picked group of people by the Idaho Supreme Court. The book is just shy of 70 pages. Over 50 of those pages consists of ”The Media Guide to the Idaho Courts.” which is also a website, here.
Like the Idaho Pork Report, this handbook can keep me going for days, however it’s taken me months to get it. I will begin with the last page which is a judge self test for “Early Warning Signs of Judicial Burnout” by Isaiah M. Zimmerman Ph.D. I have to admit it’s a dandy. Here are some of the T and F questions. It is from this magazine, Case in Point – page 5.
- I delay in picking up the ringing telephone or in asking my assistant for messages.
- I seem to glance at my watch a lot.
- Holiday greetings and cards have become a nuisance.
- My daydreams are increasingly concerned with money/security/sex and peace.
- Only cases involving the wealthy, the powerful, or big corporations command my full attention.
- I care little about the outcome of most trials
- I cannot wait for the day’s work to end. I terminate proceedings a little early.
- I find that 15 minutes is generally more than enough time for a 30-minute hearing.
You have to be able to answer below 8 True questions of the 25 to pass. Anything above 8 is considered borderline burnout or probably experiencing burnout.
It is important that the general public does not know about a judge who may be experiencing burnout. (It took me months to get this handbook.) That is probably one of the reasons the state of Idaho has provided our judges with a toll free number where their concerns can be shared out of state. We don’t know how much that is costing us yet, nor do we know just what this ‘Educational’ Judicial Family Handbook cost us or for that matter the cost of the wallet cards that were provided to the judges with contact information of the Idaho Judicial Assistance Hotline – 1-877-IDJUDGE of which I have been told that no formal contract has yet been completed.
It also has a copy of an article that tells us all about the judicial regions in the San Juan area and how judicial travel is affected. I am assuming this article is talking about California and not San Juan, Idaho? Then, let’s not forget that it also tells us “there will be judicial education opportunities for spouses” and “spousal programs.” Are we paying for those spousal “opportunities?”
Interestingly enough – if any judge for whatever reason falls victim to the press because of a conflict between the media and the courts or another issue – we have a Conflict Resolution Panel where they are allowed access to the judge and can mediate on behalf of the attorneys, judge, or journalist.
These folks have agreed to serve on that panel. I don’t know how they got there. The handbook did not tell us that.
Allen Derr, Fred Hoopes, Ron Schilling, Joan Cartan-Hansen, Deb Kristensen
But, in order to convene the Conflict Resolution Panel, you may have to contact any of those members or you can call:
Patti Tobias, Administrative Director of the Courts OR Betsy Russell with the Washington Spokesman-Review.
More Entertainment: I just read this great post from SCOIDblog. It’s about a judge and regular scheduled meetings at the Iron Horse Bar in Coeur d’Alene, ID. It’s juicy. Click the link provided at SCOIDblog. Too bad that judge didn’t get ”The Judicial Family Handbook” or did he? ;-)
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