Attorney's Speak Out
on Violence and the Judicial System

David A. Saichek

The [commission's] main objective was not to cover ground that had previously been covered on the causes of violence and civil unrest, but to study how the increase in violence has affected the judicial branch of government.

Judge Gerald Nichol

In the legal system, we focus on precedent. We do things because we've always done them that way. We have to start looking at the processes and the outcomes [to curb the effects of violence in the justice system]. We can't do business as usual.

David Lerman

I see [restorative justice] as restoring a community's sense of wholeness in itself. We talk about the social fabric being torn asunder; this is a reversal.

Gregg Herman

It's more likely to be Joe Neighbor, whose wife is filing for divorce [who is violent in the courthouse]. He decides if he's going to lose his wife, his children and his home, he's just going to end it - and take her out with him.

Tess Meuer

Whether we [commission members] were talking to people in family, juvenile, criminal or civil court, all the folks kept telling us that where they see issues arising stems from the problem of family violence.