James Richardson (Iowa)
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James Richardson was a judge of the Fourth District of Iowa from 1986 to 2018.[1][2]
Education
Richardson received his B.A. degree in 1972 from the University of Northern Iowa and his J.D. in 1975 from the University of Iowa College of Law.[1]
Career
- 1986-2018: Judge, Fourth District Court
- 2003-2005: Drug Court Judge
- 1980-1986: City Attorney, Coon Rapids
- 1982-1986: City Attorney, Bayard
- 1975-1978: City Attorney, Audubon
- 1975-1986: Partner, Barron & Richardson[1][3]
Awards and associations
- 1975-Present: Audubon County Bar Association (President, 1980-1986)
- 1975-Present: American Bar Association
- 1975-Present: Iowa State Bar Association
- 2002-2006: Bench/Bar Committee (Co-Chair, 2003-2006)
- 1984-1986: Review Committee
- 1975-Present: Southwest Iowa Bar Association
- 1986: President
- 1985: Vice-President
- 1986-Present: Member, Iowa Judges Association
- 2005-2006: President
- 2004-2005: President Elect
- 2003-2004: Sec.-Treasurer
- 1998-2002: Board of Directors
- 1988-2002: Client Security and Attorney Disciplinary Committee of the Supreme Court of Iowa (Chairman, 1996-2002)[3]
2012 election
Richardson was retained in the general election on November 6, winning 69.15% of the vote.[4][5]
- See also: Iowa judicial elections, 2012
Approach to the law
| “ | The protection of and service to the citizens of Iowa has remained my goal. I have attempted at all times to solve problems by the application of the law to the facts. - Judge James Richardson[3][6] |
” |
Noteworthy cases
No notes during trial, judge says
Judge Richardson forbade reporter Jared Raney, of the Daily Times Herald, from taking notes on paper during a vehicular homicide trial on May 21, 2013. Richardson explained that if the jury saw Raney writing about something, they might think it's especially important and thus be unduly influenced by him. After the Iowa Newspaper Association requested that Richardson reconsider the rule, the judge made a compromise, allowing reporters to take notes in an area not easily visible by the jurors.[7]
The judge's rule is uncommon. The topic of allowing cameras or electronic devices into courtrooms has been one of concern across the nation recently, but taking notes on paper is rarely questioned.
Kathleen Richardson, of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, stated,
| “ | There is a long-recognized legal right of the public to attend criminal proceedings and for the news media to cover them, as surrogates of the public. And it would be impossible for a journalist to accurately report on a trial without being able to take notes.[7][6] | ” |
A similar case in Illinois resulted in a 2006 federal ruling, which stated, "A sweeping prohibition of all note-taking by any outside party seems unlikely to withstand a challenge under the First Amendment."[7]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Iowa Fourth District Court Scroll to "District Court Judge James Richardson..."
- ↑ KMA Land, "District court judge Richardson announces retirement," May 7, 2018
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Information submitted via Judgepedia's candidate submission form on 6/25/2013
- ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, Unofficial General Election Results: District 4
- ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, Judges Standing for Retention 2012
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Daily Times Herald, "Judge bars note-taking during trial," May 22, 2013
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa
State courts:
Iowa Supreme Court • Iowa Court of Appeals • Iowa district courts
State resources:
Courts in Iowa • Iowa judicial elections • Judicial selection in Iowa
