As the courthouse doors clanged shut, the plaintiff bar and our clients watched helplessly as civil trials were pushed into the unforeseeable future. A general sense of gloom descended upon us. Now what, we wondered.
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We meet Dave the Bailiff first. Through emails. We are cooling our heels. Waiting to see if our trial will start on time. Instead of ignoring us, Dave gives us up to date emails. Plus he has a sense of humor.
We are in trial for three weeks. During this time we get to know Dave the Bailiff and his smile even better. But there's someone next to him up on the bench. Julie the Clerk. She seems quiet but it is all an act. She has a droll sense of humor. We like both of them.
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The suspense is building. All of our exhibits have been copied and are ready to go. We have larger than life size poster boards of images. Witness lists done. Trial briefs done. Motions done. Jury Instructions done. Briefs contesting the other side's arguments done. Our witnesses have been called and are on standby. We are so ready.
We've overcome all of the attacks on the case to get this far. Feel like the Black Stallion. Dancing, prancing, frothing a little bit, waiting for that door to open so can GO!
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Most of us have no idea what the clerk and bailiff actually do. We suspect the Judge gives them instructions that they carry out. We tend to mix them up and view them as indistinguishable. But they are quite different.
In trial, the clerk is in charge of the physical trial exhibits and court documents. The bailiff takes care of the jury and courtroom set up.
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