Plutarch on Open Courts

From Plutarch's Sayings of Kings and Commanders (Frank Cole Babbitt trans.); Antigonus was one of Alexander the Great's successors:

When Marsyas his brother had a lawsuit, and claimed the right to have the trial held at his house, Antigonus said, 'It shall be in the Forum and with everybody listening to see whether we do any injustice.'

(Spotted as a result of a conversation with my father, Vladimir.)

Comments

[Shamie Ervin iv]

We have a NC constitutional guarantee of open courts, but here in Asheville the judges thumb their noses at it: "All courts shall be open..." One judge, the chief district court judge, closes his court at will by having the door locked and a deputy posted at the door. Another, if she sees you in the courtroom and dislikes you because she's afraid you might write something uncomplimentary (but true) about her, will tell you to leave and even have her bailiff threaten you with his gun and taser. Still another one - who has recently been embarrassed by a pubic reprimand adopted by our Supreme Court - will have his bailiff rush at you as if to lay violent hands on you and then tell you, as he opens the door to shove you out, that "You're free to leave!" If you want their names, I'll give them to you.

[Mr. Bumble]

"Democracy (and jurisprudence) dies in the darkness?