Remembering Judge Robert Goza
The best judges are those that endear themselves to the lawyers practicing before them, even when they are ruling against them. Judge Robert Goza was that kind of judge. Judge Goza died Saturday at the age of 76. After retiring from the bench he practiced law with Copeland Cook. Tuesday's Clarion-Ledger had this article in which Judge Goza was remembered:
"He was senior circuit judge when I came on and took me under his wing," former Circuit Judge John Toney said. "He had a unique way of keeping a common touch. He would take his time to treat the defendants with kindness and respect. He'd even reach over the bench to shake their hands, even if he'd sentenced them to a long time."
"I presented hundreds of cases before him, hundreds," former district attorney John Kitchens said. "He had a way of calming down a young, exuberant district attorney.
"I remember I had one case in Canton - this was early on - where a defendant, a young guy, had shot another guy, and Judge Goza sentenced him to three years. When Judge Goza came out of the courtroom, I stepped out and asked him, 'Judge, why did you only give him three years?' I was being argumentative.
"And he said to me, 'The indictment doesn't say John Kitchens versus the defendant. It says State of Mississippi versus the defendant. Your job is to present the state's case, and mine is to sentence. Let's not forget that,' " Kitchens said. "He commanded respect. But he was very nice about it."
My practice before Judge Goza was limited to one case after his retirement in which he was specially appointed by the Supreme Court. He was extremely nice to the attorneys practicing before him regardless of which side they represented or how he was going to rule. When a judge has the demeanor that Judge Goza had, the parties understand that they got a fair trial, regardless of whether they won. I also had a case against Judge Goza while he was in private practice. He was just as nice in that setting and insisted that I call him "Bob" instead of "Judge Goza." He will be missed.
Judge Goza was what all citizens want in a circuit judge: fair; honest; well versed in courtroom decorum; learned; and, a heckuva trail lawyer before taking the bench. My first jury trial was before him. Many stories and experiences with him, all good.