When a Judge Needs Assistance JLAP Can Provide Professional, Confidential Help
Like all members of the legal profession, judges sometimes have difficulty with stress, depression, balancing work and home life, alcohol or drug abuse and compulsive behaviors. Unfortunately, a judge's problem is more likely to go unnoticed and untreated because of the very nature of the judge's role in the legal system.
Judges frequently work in isolation, often shielding their problems from colleagues and associates. Fear, denial, embarrassment or hopelessness can complicate their ability to seek help. Even more so, reluctance to have their problems known and the fear of negative impact on their status and reputation get in the way of seeking assistance.
JLAP responds to judges who call for help with complete confidentiality and discretion.
Concerned About A Judicial Colleague? JLAP Can Help You Help Them
Judges are often in the best position to see problems or impairment in their colleagues on the bench. Lawyers are reluctant to initiate judicial intervention for fear of retaliation by the impaired judge or alienation of other judges.
Judges can help other judges effectively with the support of JLAP volunteer judges who understand the issues and are genuinely concerned about helping their judicial colleagues.
When alcohol or drug addiction is involved a professionally lead intervention can interrupt the harmful, progressive, and destructive effects on their lives, legal profession, and family. The intervention process is always conducted with respect and concern.
Helping your colleagues is the honorable thing to do.
Has An Impaired Lawyer Appeared Before You? Judges Are In A Position to Help
Judges are in a unique position to recognize impairment in the lawyer who appears before them. Sharing your concerns with other judges about the behavior of a lawyer can help identify someone who needs assistance. Most warning signs, such as changes in personality and job performance, are key indicators that something is wrong.
A perceptive, understanding, yet assertive judge can cut through denial, enabling, and indifference and reach the impaired lawyer as no one else can. JLAP professional staff is always available to judges who expresses concern about a lawyer.
Helping a colleague is the honorable thing to do.
Helping judges and lawyers find personal solutions...Now. confidential@arjlap.org 501.907.2529
