Here in Pennsylvania justices of the Supreme Court wear colored sashs over their robes. Why is that since most American judges (having rejected English court dress) wear plain black robes? In what other states do judges wear unique costumes? I know in Maryland judges of the Court of Appeals wear red robes.
Rhenquist started wearing yellow stripes. I guess he thought people would confuse him with all the other chief justices…
Link. With picture and interesting article about him possibly cheating on his taxes.
Wow, what a stupid article.
Anyway, Rehnquist based his stripey Chief Justice uniform on the costume of the Lord Chancellor in the Gilbert and Sullivan show Iolanthe, which he was a fan of.
I believe the current Chief, John Roberts, has gone back to the traditional plain robe.
The sash in the OP looks a lot like the neck of a hood worn at university commencements and such. In other words, he might be wearing the colors of the law school he graduated. Do you have other official portraits of Penn. Supreme Court justices weatring something similar?
Yeah, that makes it better…
Four of the seven justices (including the Chief Justice) are wearing it in their official portraits. I checked their bios and they all went to different law schools.
One thing I’ve always wondered… Are judges required to wear robes? And what is the significance of them anyway? Tradition dating back to god knows when? It just seems to me a very odd uniform if its required.
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised though, since some of my uniforms in the navy were quite ridiculous in deference to tradition. Pants with 13 buttons, and a hat that collects rain rather than protects from it? Is this the 1800s?
Many judges in the CA Inland Empire prefer a more utilitarian accessory… a handgun. Seriously. Hubby was a prosecutor out there for a while, and at least three of his usual judges carried.
I ike those horse hair wigs (that British judges wear)!
In Canada, judges were the robes for trials and appeals, but wear regular suits for chambers matters.
The lawyers follow the same pattern, when appearing in the superior courts. Traditionally, if you’re not gowned, you’re not allowed to address the court. If you try to do so nonetheless, the judges will state that they cannot hear you.
There are exceptions, of course. I got called into the Court of Appeal once on short notice - there’d been a scheduling mix-up. I’d been informed by counsel for the other side that he had had the appeal adjourned. Then one day the phone rang and the Registrar of the Court asked me where I was, since the appeal was set for that day and the Court was waiting for me. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
I raced over to the Court House without taking time to gown, and the presiding judge made a point of stating that in the unusual circumstances they would hear my request for an adjournment without me being gowned.
As for why - they’re a uniform, to mark out the judges and officers of the court.
Most states have a few ridiculous judges that should be wearing CLOWN costumes to be in keeping with their rulings.