Judgement

Recent commentary about a discharge without conviction decision reminded me of sitting in court hearings a few years ago when supporting someone through the system. 

I was impressed with the degree of patience, understanding and compassion shown by the presiding judges as they dealt with varying degrees of experience from all comers - defendants, lawyers, police prosecutors, court staff, and family members.

You could see many emotions and attitudes, among them the staunch, the frightened or worried, confused, resigned. Attitudes not necessarily shaped by the outcome when that point was eventually reached.

My takeaway impression was the difficult role to judge others in that setting, and on what I saw I vowed to be less quick to criticise in future. Based on that experience I do not intend to change my view and join the criticism now.