Judge Knobel: The psychology of judging

This week, Gary F. Knobel, the Nassau County District Court judge and Oceanside resident, is seeking reelection for his bench, running on the Republican, Working Families, and Independence tickets. We briefly chatted with Judge Knobel on his run and his work as a Hofstra Law School professor and acting county court judge to preside over psychiatric retention and treatment hearings.

Sergey Kadinsky: You were appointed to evaluate psychiatric hearings back in January, but you do not have a degree in psychology. How do you handle these cases?
Gary F. Knobel: When a hospital wishes to retain or release a mentally ill individual, a psychiatrist testifies whether that person is a danger to himself and the community. When a patient refuses to take a medication, I hold the hearing on whether the decision was made rationally. The state has eight criteria to determine whether they need supervision. As a law clerk, I went to these hearings and assisted the judge on whether these individuals are safe for society.

SK: You’re a Republican, but you’ve also secured the nod of the Working Families Party. That’s quite a rarity.
GFK: They looked at me more as an individual rather than as a Republican, judged for compassion and treating people fairly without a predisposed bias. I am pleased to receive their support.

SK: As a law professor, how do you prepare your third year students for the working world?
GFK: Every state has its own unique laws. Hofstra is a national school and like many schools, it focuses on federal cases and broad principles. I teach my students the New York civil procedure, which has a unique flavor in long-arm jurisdiction, concerning the internet, and lawsuits related to eBay. Law students often make mistakes in the service process, confusing personal delivery with personal service. In New York, it’s personal service.

SK: Is there a Jewish inspiration behind your work?
GFK: My son went to North Shore Hebrew Academy and I attend Young Israel of Oceanside and Great Neck Synagogue. My judicial philosophy is from Devarim, “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” There’s also the psalm recited on Tuesdays about pursuing justice. I wrestle with making the right decision all the time.

SK: do you have an example of the difficulty in making the right choice?
GFK: Sometimes you have to make a snap decision. At an arraignment, you see the suspect for the first time and you have to decide whether to set bail or release the person. It is a very quick decision with many factors to consider.