Moving Out of the Old Courthouse

By Judge Susan Criss

Published in the Galveston County Daily News April 19, 2006

I had a hard time moving to the new courthouse. I knew I should be excited to be going to a nicer, larger, fancier, more secure courthouse. Yet as moving day arrived I found that I was very sad.

As I saw the boxes and furniture being loaded on the trucks I  tried not to cry. I was  self conscious until I realized I was not the only sentimental old timer. Courthouse staff and other judges got emotional as they reminisced. My former boss  District Attorney Mike Guarino stopped by for a last walk through.

People who work in the courthouse are like a family. Mind you, they bicker  like family members do. And my courthouse family has been every bit as colorful as my other family.
 I know why they call it a courthouse instead of a court building or office.
I thought about our courthouse family members who would not be moving with us. I can see Judge Magee with a cigar hanging out of his mouth passing out  hand me down ties to young lawyers. He told me that the defendants who drove pickup trucks need to get same justice as the ones who drive cadillacs.

I remember being a new assistant DA acting tough to hide my fear of going up against the seasoned lawyers and then being shocked that  most of the lawyers fell for it. Judge Youngblood didn’t. He pointed his finger at me and said ,”Don’t pull that on me little lady”. We were great friends from then on. I can still hear his loud laugh echoing down the halls.
I remember Judge Harris fighting so hard to make sure everyone was treated fairly. He asked many questions of the defendants to determine how the circumstances of their lives brought them to his court. He knew they were people and not just names on files to be moved in the name of case management. He cautioned probationers against the evils of alcohol and warned against drinking even a drop of vanilla. I smile every time I bake a cake.

Courthouse staff consisted of some wonderful and memorable people. I remember Domingo Perez telling new  lawyers that it was okay to barge into Judge Wilson’s chambers. He wouldn’t mind. Mr. Gober encouraged new lawyers to sit in the jury box. Judge Dalehite wouldn’t mind. I can still see both of them laughing as those lawyers got lectured on court decorum.

As I unpacked my photographs of those courthouse family members who are no longer here, including ones of my  relatives, I realized that I am bringing what is important with me.
Tell the truth. Be fair to everyone. Speak truth to power. Ask questions. Treat the parties as people, not files. Laugh. Love. Share. Serve the public. Be who you are but put on a good show.

I feel better now.