Noise in courtroom during T. Smith hearing

In Judge Prather's courtroom on Friday morning at 10:00AM, you should have been able to hear a pin drop. Timothy Smith's case had been moved from Judge Condon's courtroom to Judge Prather's courtroom, but she wasn't there. Judge Michael Feetterer was handing two calls that morning, and at one point there were about 15 attorneys in the courtroom.

Just after 10:00AM, Smith's case was called. I thought all eyes and ears would be on Judge Feetterer, Smith and the lawyers, but it seemed to be "just another case". Judge Feetterer asked Smith if he had a lawyer, meaning a private lawyer, and Smith said he didn't. I think he said he intended to get one, and Judge Feetterer said he would appoint a public defender in the meantime, and he did.

It should not be the judge who admonishes people in the courtroom, including the attorneys, to quiet down. That job ought to fall to the bailiff. Errr, the court security officer. I don't know what training they get or what their instructions are, but on Friday courtroom decorum went south in a handbasket. Numerous lengthy conversations were carried on by attorneys standing and sitting between the bench and the courtroom seating. Loud conversations in the vestibule also interfered with hearing in the court.

Plus attorneys spoke to the judge in low tones, and Judge Feetterer's voice wasn't much higher, which meant he could not be heard in the courtroom over the whispers and low voices of the attorneys.

What happened to courtroom respect in McHenry County? Obviously, the attorneys have learned what they can get away with, and so they disregard whatever they learned in law school about being quiet in the courtroom. The courtroom rules for McHenry County courts are published; I wonder when was the last time that any attorney reviewed them.

Anyone in the courtroom for his own case or just to observe a case should be able to hear everything said at the bench - by the judge and by both sides. This happens in a few of the courtrooms, and I thank those judges who direct their bailiffs to quiet any defendants, spectators or attorneys who talk while another case is being heard.