Dinah J. Archambeault

You’ll feel trapped in a very difficult episode of The Twilight Zone if you have the misfortune of being assigned to the courtroom of Judge Dinah Archambault. Costly indecision is her middle name. Her gaze frantically swivels back and forth between the attorneys— won’t someone make a decision for me her expression pleads. Continuances? Dame Dinah has never met one she didn’t like. I had 22-25 or more. Who’s counting? It’s only money. Speaking of money, that nauseous odor you inhale is your precious family resources going up in smoke while the “Waffle Queen” of Will County fiddles, dawdles, or goes out of town on yet another trip. Through crocodile tears, she pities herself for landing such a tough caseload of intractable cases, what a circus - except she’s the Ringmaster orchestrating this mess.

I liked appearing in front of Judge Archambeault. I did not find her to anti-father. I remember in my first case in front of her, the father was in prison for abuse against the mother (my client), and Judge Archambeault still was focus on getting him visitation as soon as possible. I remember being surprised that she brought it up on day one given that he was in chuffs and an IDOC jump suit.