District
6 reviews
This judge is extremely engaged at hearings, well-prepared, and cares about following the law. He would make a tremendous appellate judge if promoted.
John Bates treated a habeas application regarding an illegal detention as one attacking a state court judgment. The person was being held without a case, he had not been prosecuted or convicted, Bates' action allowed for the detention to drag on for months and then he dismissed the application as "moot" after three months, claiming the man had been released when in fact he was still being held.
Wonderful temperment, very smart, and very prepared. Pro-government. A pleasure in the courtroom- however, sometimes he makes a statement from the bench and then issues a written opinion that is total opposite of his in court statements. A few lawyers have experienced this so an otherwise great judge is losing some credibility with the trial bar. Maybe he needs to scale back on his proclamations in the courtroom or get a hold of his clerks when they fire off a written opinion.
Wow -- he's intelligent. Know your stuff. Great judicial temperment. A genuine pleasure to be before him. He raises the bar.
Button-down, no-nonsense judge who is well prepared and smart. It is a pleasure to appear in his court.
Judge Bates is fantastic and one of the smartest judges that I have ever encountered. He works hard, is even-handed, and cares about being a good judge. Counsel and parties are treated with respect. No matter what side you are on you get a fair shake from a judge who has the brain wattage to make an intelligent and equitable decision.