Not courtly

IT WAS a very bad day for the justice system when Advocate Nehemiah Ballen lost his composure and swore at a judge.

First, the poor man had car trouble, then his insurer took time to tow his car.

Then Ballen arrived late in court where his secretary had left a garbled message.

When the judge quizzed him about his late arrival and the confusing message, he lost his temper.

He should have swallowed his frustrations when his car broke down and during the long wait for help. But the judge sparked the road rage he had tamped down and he exploded.

While we sympathise with him it is not good for peace officials to swear in court and to disrespect others.

If lawyers do not at least pretend to show a modicum of decorum and protocol in court our justice system will be in trouble.