Cameras should keep lawyers, judges from becoming abusive

As co-administrator of National Forum on Judicial Accountability, I thank The Times for securing the exemption required to broadcast Lake County civil court hearings. Among other good things, the coverage is sure to enhance civility in publicized proceedings. Respectful courtroom proceedings can be especially important to people who are not lawyers or court personnel.

Many NFOJA members are clearly traumatized by hostile in-court treatment they received from lawyers and/or judges, sometimes years after the encounter. While aggression or "tough love" is sometimes needed to evoke the truth or reasonableness from people engaged in our adversarial legal system, abusiveness should always be intolerable. The glare of camera lights should keep lawyers and judges from becoming abusive with trial tactics or efforts to control court proceedings.

NFOJA strives to increase direct citizen oversight of America's legal system. The main network of its about 1,400 members is at http://50states.ning.com

- Zena Crenshaw-Logal, NFOJA co-administrator, Crown Point