After trying several cases before the Honorable Judge Jeffrey Levenson, I’ve learned a few things to expect.  Judge Levenson wants you to stand at the podium without too much walking around, he wants you to call your client by his or her last name, and he wants you to yield gracefully to the Court’s rulings.  However, I never expected that Judge Levenson would give a criminal defendant the shoes off his feet. 

In a recent news article, it was reported that Michael Fernandez, on trial for trafficking in cocaine, was brought from jail in his uniform and without clothes for trial.  Some time later his clothes arrived, but his shoes did not.  He was wearing flip flops provided by the jail.  When it came time for Fernandez to testify, Judge Levinson took off his size 11 loafers and gave them to the defendant, so that he could wear them to walk to the witness stand without the jury knowing he was in jail. 

I must say, after reading the article, I was very impressed.  It appears that Judge Levenson was very careful not to share the defendant’s custody status with the jury in order to assure that the defendant’s case was judged only on the evidence.  We need more judges like this that are willing to do what it takes to make sure defendants get fair trials.  Go Judge Levenson!