Judge Paul Huck Takes Senior Status

Normally the blog doesn’t cover gossip or personal interest stories. I leave that to David Marcus and SFL (both great blogs that I read daily).
But the blog is compelled to write about Juck Huck’s decision to take senior status. Judge Huck is one of the finest district court judges in the United States. He is exceptionally bright, always prepared for hearings, and promotes quick and efficient justice.
But what makes Judge Huck stand out is his selfless abilility to admit when he’s made a wrong decision. I’m reminded of the famous “Joe Cool” murder on the high seas trial. After the defendants were found guilty, Judge Huck, on his own initiative without any motion by the defense team, issued an order where he stated that he gave an incorrect jury instruction and that he had no choice but to grant a mistrial. Very few judges would so confidently admit that they made a mistake (without someone pointing it out) and declare, sua sponte, a mistrial. David Marcus covered the issue on his blog here. The blog wishes more judges would be as open to reconsideration as Judge Huck is.
Some lawyers have criticized Judge Huck for being difficult and too demanding — but he’s difficult and demanding of both plaintiffs and defendants, and that makes it completely fair.
Congratulations Judge Huck. Hopefully he will remain active as a senior judge.