Police patience & de-escalation – Witnessed by Fairfax criminal lawyer

Fairfax criminal lawyer urges good police and judicial conduct to be contagions for a better criminal justice system

Police patience and de-escalation are sorely needed in our overpoliced society where I have witnessed a police officer yelling his head off at a driver who had apparently innocently misundertstood re-routing instructions, another police officer smirkingly and condescendingly repeating to a scared man on the ground to “shut up” (here is how my teacher Jun Yasuda would respond to being told to “shut up”), and police on video using excessive force right up to fatally shooting unarmed suspects who pose little to no harm.

Virginia criminal attorney urges the importance of police patience and de-escalation

As a Fairfax criminal lawyer, I know that police and judges need good examples from their colleagues about how to treat people right, even in the most challenging of situations. Such a great example arose this week when I witnessed a Virginia Circuit Court judge and his courtroom deputy sheriffs applying patience, understanding, and de-escalation, in the face of a very disruptive unincarcerated criminal defendant (charged with assaulting two police officers).

A Virginia Circuit Court judge and deputy sheriffs show how to display patience and compassion even for those who do not return the courtesy

As the defendant’s trial date was being selected, he was so distraught and anxious over his plight that he repeatedly and very loudly interrupted that he had to have a trial that very same day, and kept insisting he had documents proving his innocence.

The judge and courtroom deputy sheriffs clearly recognized that this gentleman had serious psychological and self-control challenges and limitations, and was not physically dangerous at the time. At no time did the judge nor deputy sheriffs raise their voices at nor threaten nor manhandle this gentleman. At all times, they exercised patience, understanding, and de-escalation.

This is part one of a two-part article. The final segment is here. 

Fairfax criminal lawyer Jonathan L. Katz insists on treating everyone with dignity and compassion, and eliminating police and judicial misconduct. Jon will be delighted to discuss your case with you, through a confidential consultation scheduled through our staff, at 703-383-1100.