Judges here
honor rule of law
There are different views on judicial independence. I’d like to share mine.
I had the honor and privilege of being a Circuit Court judge in Hawaii for 28 years. I made my decisions based on the facts of the case and the applicable laws. As a judge, I have always been fully accountable for my decisions, including the ones that some members of our community disagreed with, and others supported. But as a judge, I never allowed the possibility of public criticism or praise to affect my decision-making.
Judges take an oath of office to uphold and protect the constitutions of the United States and the State of Hawaii. Judges must also abide by a Code of Judicial Conduct to “uphold and promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary …” These tenets are foundational to the work of a judge, and safeguard the integrity of the judicial process. In my experience our judges have always strived to meet these standards.
Now that I’m retired from the bench, if I ever have to go to court — either as an attorney representing a client or as a citizen with a dispute to resolve — I’m confident that any judge hearing my case will be beholden only to the rule of law.
Ronald Ibarra, Chief Judge (ret.) 3rd Circuit
Kailua-Kona
Nothing sweet
about Alabama
I am appalled at the passage of the Alabama law prohibiting abortion.
My heart goes out to those who fought against it, and who, if the law becomes enforceable in six months, will have to live in a state (Bitter Home Alabama), which shows blatant disregard of personal choice.
Twenty five white Republican men voted in favor of HB 314, which outlaws abortion, even in the case of rape or incest.
None of those men, or any man, are capable of childbearing. There are no laws in any state regulating what a man can do with his body.
Banning abortion is a misogynistic act against all women, and the ones who will suffer and possibly die are the poor who cannot afford safe, legal abortions across state lines.
No one can presume to know the circumstances of each woman’s pregnancy, intended or unintended. If lawmakers really cared about women and children, they would preserve a woman’s right to choose. Concern about a woman’s life and rights after birth are the core issue.
My deep outrage is reserved for the ones who decided to have the law investigate the circumstances of a woman’s miscarriage.
I know from personal experience that grief after a miscarriage or stillbirth is bottomless. It is unimaginable to compound a mother’s grief with a criminal investigation.
I am horrified that Alabama has turned the clock back 50 years on basic human rights.
Jeri Gertz
Hilo
