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91 Judicature 60 (2007-2008)
Addressing the Problem of Courtroom Stress

handle is hein.journals/judica91 and id is 60 raw text is: ourtrooms can be stressful places; legal actors and courthouse visitors experience occasional acts of violence, gruesome trial evidence, and a number of daily, low-level stressors. Each of these sources has the poten- High levels of stre tial to affect both judges and and juror decisio jurors. In June of 2006, Darren negative effects o Mack allegedly shot Judge Stress interventio Chuck Weller through his Washoe County, Nevada, court- jurors and house office window. Report- the potential s edl, Mack was dissatisfied with Weller's decisions concerning and ways to pi child support and alimony.' Violence directed at judges and their families represents a growing phenomenon; violent events of 2005 include the highly publicized shooting at the Fulton County Court- house in Atlanta and the murder of federal judge Joan Lefkow's family in Chicago. As a result of the growing threats of violence, judges in some jurisdictions are carry- ing concealed weapons,' and writers (e.g., critics, advocates, journalists) have called for measures to examine and address the issue of courtroom violence.' These unexpected stressors contribute to the signifi- .ss can impact judge n making and have a the justice system. as can help educate judges about ymptoms of stress event and cope. cant sources of stress judges and jurors routinely experi- ence. For example, experts have acknowledged that graphic evidence and testi- mony is capable of having adverse effects.' Recent high profile cases include that of Dena Schlosser, who was accused of cutting her baby's arms off with a knife, and the retrial of Andrea Yates, who The authors would like to thank Jimn Richardson for his helpful comments. 1. Ed Vogel and Sean Whaley, lonhunt for Reno Pawnshop Owner Continues, Las Vegas ReviewJournal, June 14, 2006, at Al. 2. Decision Allows Judges to Cairr Guns, New York NewsJuly 16, 2006, avail able at http://ww-s.nyl.cony/uvl/cotenit/idex isp'sfid=3&aid=61055 3. See generally, PatikJonsson, In killings 'wake, urgency to protect courts, Chris- tian Science Monitor, March 14, 2005 http:/ /www.csmnonitou.com/ 2005/0314/p03s0l-usju.html. 60 JUDICATURE Volume 91, Number 2 September-October 2007

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