To the editor:

Douglas County’s group of district judges may well be the finest in the state. Each of them is highly intelligent and has a keen sense of justice. We hope they will continue to have the courage to render judgments that may be temporarily unpopular when justice so requires. Their ability to do that will be undermined if the vigilante movement seeking to oust one of them has any success.

Litigation is an adversarial business. There are two sides to each law case, and each generally believes sincerely that they have justice on their side. The losing party commonly feels that justice has not been served. It is the responsibility of the judge and jury, however, to determine where justice lies, and the rest of us have to rely on their judgment.

In the case that prompted the attack on Judge Paula Martin, both the judge and the jurors, who heard all the evidence on both sides, reportedly felt that the sentence that was ordered was necessary in the interest of justice. A partisan of one side disagreed, and now seeks vengeance against the judge. If she and her group succeed in defeating Judge Martin, it will set a precedent that will encourage any disappointed litigant to seek the judge’s ouster. Needless to say, that would have a very bad effect on the climate of justice in our county.

Robert C. Casad,

Lawrence