Voices of Justice

Hello Fabulous!,

I am beyond excited to share my recent conversation with the one and only Judge David Fleischer. If you missed our chat, don't worry, I've got all the details right here for you. Let's dive into some highlights and insights from one of the most genuine and passionate people I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing.

Who is Judge David Fleischer?

He's a YouTube-famous judge. Well, according to him, he’s not just "a judge" – he’s a father, a brother, and a helper to all. He made it clear, right from the beginning, that he’s committed to doing whatever it takes to assist others, regardless of their circumstances. His willingness to step in and help out really shines through, and it’s incredibly inspiring.

Family and Parenting in Today's World

We ventured into the tough topic of parenting – or rather, the lack of it. Judge Fleischer believes that the problem of unattended youth has always been around, but social media just makes it more visible now. He has a heartfelt approach, somewhat like a perennial father figure, guiding people to strive for better, even pushing them out of their comfort zones for better opportunities.

PR Bonds: To Free or Not to Free?

One hot topic we tackled was PR (Personal Recognizance) Bonds. So many people had questions about these! Here’s the scoop: PR Bonds are for nonviolent offenders, often first-timers, who can be released with a promise to return to court. This system ensures that those without financial means aren’t stuck in jail unnecessarily. Judge Fleischer is all about fairness, and these bonds are just one way he aims to prevent unjust guilty pleas due to financial constraints.

Path to Judging

Surprisingly, becoming a judge wasn’t on Fleischer’s childhood dream board. Funny enough, it all started with a frustrating experience buying a faulty phone from Circuit City! This event sparked his interest in law, mainly to avoid being the “little man” getting mistreated. After some twists and turns including culinary school – yep, he can cook – he found his way to law school and eventually the bench.

Patience: The Key Skill

If you’re wondering what skill judging has honed the most for him, it’s patience. Handling cases day in and day out, some of which can be quite heartbreaking, demands a lot of it. It’s this very patience that helps Judge Fleischer dig deeper into issues, aiming for resolutions that genuinely help people rather than just punishing them.

Judging is No Laughing Matter – Or Is It?

One of my favorite bits was finding out that yes, judges do laugh in court. Like us, they are human and sometimes situations or questions can be so left-field that they just can’t help it. This human touch is what makes Judge Fleischer so relatable and authentic.

Future Political Ambitions?

And for those asking if he’s eyeing a bigger office – think Congress or even President – the answer is no. He’s quite content where he is, making a difference from the bench and having quality family time, which includes playing Fortnite with his kids. Because who can resist a good Fortnite session, right?

The Robe Question

One last fun fact: why doesn’t Judge Fleischer wear a robe? Simple – it’s too hot, cumbersome, and frankly, unnecessary in his court. Plus, he doesn’t want to sweat any more than he has to. Makes perfect sense to me!

In closing, Judge Fleischer wants to be remembered as the nice guy always ready to help, leaving everyone he encounters in a better place. And honestly, I think he’s already achieving that.

Thank you all for joining me and Judge Fleischer on this insightful journey. If you’ve got more questions or thoughts, drop them in the comments. I’m always here to connect and share more amazing stories with you all.

Until next time!

Jen

Hey there, everyone! I’m excited to share with you today an incredible conversation I recently had with Judge Stephanie Boyd, a phenomenal judge residing over cases in Bexar County, Texas (and yes, that’s pronounced “Bear” – not how you’d think, right?). 

Stephanie Boyd originally hails from Shreveport, Louisiana, and she brought a lot of her down-home wisdom and warmth to our talk. Here’s a delightful dive into her journey, her upbringing, and some golden nuggets of wisdom that left me inspired—and hopefully, will do the same for you.

Judge Boyd opened up about her roots and how they shaped her work ethic and life choices. Imagine growing up under the wings of a powerhouse of a mom, a caring grandmother, and two uncles who were steadfast male figures. It's a story of resilience that began in Shreveport and ventured through San Antonio for law school. "Even though San Antonio is a big city, it has a small-town feel to it," Judge Boyd recalls. Thanks to GPS, she’s still figuring out the city's ins and outs, but isn’t that part of the adventure?

Judge Boyd shared some candid memories from her childhood. Picture this: you didn’t attend kindergarten because it wasn’t mandatory! I know, mind-blowing, right? She started first grade already knowing how to read and tell time—thanks to her mom and grandmother. And if you think kids today need a plethora of presents to be content, you’re in for a revelation. Christmas meant one gift, but that gift was cherished. Her mom even applied to work on a garbage truck to make ends meet—an ultimate lesson in dignity and hard work.

One of the thought-provoking aspects of our conversation was Judge Boyd's take on choices versus mistakes. She uses a simple umbrella analogy to differentiate between the two. If you know it's raining and you take an umbrella but grab the wrong one by mistake, no biggie—that’s an error anyone can understand. But if you consciously walk out with an umbrella you know isn't yours just because it’s pouring, oh boy, that’s a choice. It got me thinking about how we reflect on our actions and their consequences. 

Judge Boyd's court is not your typical courtroom. She emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment, aiming to understand the "why" behind a person’s actions. She holds compliance hearings for people navigating probation, helping them stay aligned. Her approach has gained transparency through live streaming on YouTube—much to the chagrin of some attorneys but, in her opinion, it keeps the judiciary accountable. And guess what? Her courtroom also fetches commentary on TikTok and Instagram!

Let’s pivot to something lighter but just as fascinating. Judge Boyd always has a fresh bouquet of flowers on her desk. Why? As her mom put it, if you’re spending a lot of your time at work, it better be as pleasant as possible. Also, our Judge has such glowing skin at 56 that I had to ask for her secrets. It all boils down to a strict regimen of LANAGE products. Note to self: moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

And this is something we all need to hear—take time for yourself. Judge Boyd shared a poignant reminder that no matter how work-centric we become, life keeps spinning. Her advice? Take a day off, walk around, do absolutely nothing—just breathe. She even recommends planning a trip to somewhere you’ve always wanted to go. Paris, perhaps?

Finally, she left us with some wisdom about aging being a gift. Embrace it, because if you’re not aging...well, the alternative isn’t too appealing. She suggests setting aside time for things you’re passionate about. Her trips to Paris became a yearly ritual, reminding us that life is short but rich with little joys. 

That wraps up my chat with the amazing Judge Stephanie Boyd. For those curious minds and vigilant viewers, keep an eye on her YouTube courtroom sessions. Until next time, keep making good choices, cherish your Christmases (even the one-gift kinds), and maybe pick up a bouquet of flowers for your desk. You deserve it!

Stay fabulous, 

Jen