Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Judicial Humor

By: BEVERLY BUTULA//March 29, 2010//

Judicial Humor

By: BEVERLY BUTULA//March 29, 2010//

Listen to this article

I find it entertaining when a judge puts a bit of humor in an opinion or when they are creative when drafting a decision. Several years ago, a friend told me about Fischer v. Lowe, 333 N.W. 2d 67 (Mich. Ct. App. 1983). The case is about an incident involving a car and a tree. The decision is quite poetic (think Joyce Kilmer). I’ve also been told of a Michigan judge, when ruling on a case involving rapper Eminem, created a rap to express her opinion.

The Marian Gould Gallagher Law Library at the University of Washington has a great website dedicated to Judicial Humor. Topics include parody & verse in opinions, veiled references, animals in opinions, humorous plaintiffs, and extraordinary circumstances.

Polls

What kind of stories do you want to read more of?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Legal News

See All Legal News

WLJ People

Sea all WLJ People

Opinion Digests