One of the province's highest judges wants Manitobans to learn
that judging local cases is not like it seems on American TV shows such as Law and Order or Judge Judy.
Associate chief Justice Jeffrey Oliphant
Associate chief Justice Jeffrey Oliphant said he's hoping a feature in the Winnipeg Free Press helps educate the public on how judges in this province and across the country make their decisions.
"There are misconceptions about our system that need to be corrected," Oliphant said recently.
"The judiciary is trying to correct the misconceptions... I not only endorse what (the Free Press) is doing, but I commend you, too.
"Any kind of project which helps with education to help the public know who the judges are, what they do and how they go about doing it is by my perspective a very valuable contribution."
Oliphant said people who go through the exercise may be surprised at their decisions.
"My best guess would be a fair-minded and fully informed person would come pretty close to where the judge will be," he said.
Oliphant said the Free Press feature is much like a project the Canadian Superior Courts Judges Association did a few years ago when it produced a website to help Canadians -- students and adults -- learn how judges make their decisions.
The website, called Try Judging, has five different cases, which people can read then answer questions.
Oliphant said it was designed and targeted for Grade 10 students.
"It was a fascinating project for me," he said.
"We found at the high school level there was very little -- if any -- dealing with the roles of the courts or the judiciary in Canada," he said.
To see the judging website and try out a few cases, go to www.tryjudging.ca and follow the links.
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
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