Why do judges use gavels?
• To save time, gavels are used exclusively to cut off prosecutors, defense attorneys, or witnesses who are deemed by the judge to be rambling. • To show off their authority. • Technically, they are used to restore order, and the striking of a gavel also can signify the end of an issue. • Gavels are just symbolic and are no longer used. The answer is c. In an article in the Skagit Valley Herald, a reporter interviewed Chief Judge Michael Rickert of the Superior Court of Skagit County. Judge Rickert said, Ive only had a dozen situations where Ive raised my voice, but Ive never thought of grabbing the gavel and pounding it, which is probably, technically, what its forfor restoring order. It seems that most judges prefer using their voice to the pounding of a gavel; there are times, though, when the gavel does the trick.
