Unfair Motivation for a Judge to Dislike an Accused












2















I have a scene where a character is applying to be released from prison pending trial. I want an arbitrary / unfair reason for the judge to dislike him. It has to be something that is not justified to keep him in prison (ie, risk of committing further offences, running away, or interfering with witnesses).



I was thinking something like he is rude to the judge/police, he has some character flaw that people don't tend to like etc.



EDIT: In response to the helpful answer below, it occurred to me that I should have pointed out that it would be good for it to be something that the readers wouldn't like either.



I'd really appreciate any ideas!






characters legal motivation







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  • 2





    I have voted to close this question as you're asking us what to write / to suggest ideas for your story. StackExchange is a question-and-answer forum intended for everyone to benefit from the questions. That being said, it sounds like you need flesh out the Judge as a character. Explore them, maybe even write a short interview with them to find out what kind of character they are, and then it should be obvious why they were prejudicial to your character.

    – Erdrik Ironrose
    3 hours ago
















2















I have a scene where a character is applying to be released from prison pending trial. I want an arbitrary / unfair reason for the judge to dislike him. It has to be something that is not justified to keep him in prison (ie, risk of committing further offences, running away, or interfering with witnesses).



I was thinking something like he is rude to the judge/police, he has some character flaw that people don't tend to like etc.



EDIT: In response to the helpful answer below, it occurred to me that I should have pointed out that it would be good for it to be something that the readers wouldn't like either.



I'd really appreciate any ideas!






characters legal motivation







share|improve this question









New contributor




Poul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 2





    I have voted to close this question as you're asking us what to write / to suggest ideas for your story. StackExchange is a question-and-answer forum intended for everyone to benefit from the questions. That being said, it sounds like you need flesh out the Judge as a character. Explore them, maybe even write a short interview with them to find out what kind of character they are, and then it should be obvious why they were prejudicial to your character.

    – Erdrik Ironrose
    3 hours ago














2












2








2








I have a scene where a character is applying to be released from prison pending trial. I want an arbitrary / unfair reason for the judge to dislike him. It has to be something that is not justified to keep him in prison (ie, risk of committing further offences, running away, or interfering with witnesses).



I was thinking something like he is rude to the judge/police, he has some character flaw that people don't tend to like etc.



EDIT: In response to the helpful answer below, it occurred to me that I should have pointed out that it would be good for it to be something that the readers wouldn't like either.



I'd really appreciate any ideas!






characters legal motivation







share|improve this question









New contributor




Poul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I have a scene where a character is applying to be released from prison pending trial. I want an arbitrary / unfair reason for the judge to dislike him. It has to be something that is not justified to keep him in prison (ie, risk of committing further offences, running away, or interfering with witnesses).



I was thinking something like he is rude to the judge/police, he has some character flaw that people don't tend to like etc.



EDIT: In response to the helpful answer below, it occurred to me that I should have pointed out that it would be good for it to be something that the readers wouldn't like either.



I'd really appreciate any ideas!






characters legal motivation




characters legal motivation






share|improve this question









New contributor




Poul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




Poul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 3 hours ago







Poul













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asked 3 hours ago









PoulPoul

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113




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Poul is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 2





    I have voted to close this question as you're asking us what to write / to suggest ideas for your story. StackExchange is a question-and-answer forum intended for everyone to benefit from the questions. That being said, it sounds like you need flesh out the Judge as a character. Explore them, maybe even write a short interview with them to find out what kind of character they are, and then it should be obvious why they were prejudicial to your character.

    – Erdrik Ironrose
    3 hours ago














  • 2





    I have voted to close this question as you're asking us what to write / to suggest ideas for your story. StackExchange is a question-and-answer forum intended for everyone to benefit from the questions. That being said, it sounds like you need flesh out the Judge as a character. Explore them, maybe even write a short interview with them to find out what kind of character they are, and then it should be obvious why they were prejudicial to your character.

    – Erdrik Ironrose
    3 hours ago








2




2





I have voted to close this question as you're asking us what to write / to suggest ideas for your story. StackExchange is a question-and-answer forum intended for everyone to benefit from the questions. That being said, it sounds like you need flesh out the Judge as a character. Explore them, maybe even write a short interview with them to find out what kind of character they are, and then it should be obvious why they were prejudicial to your character.

– Erdrik Ironrose
3 hours ago





I have voted to close this question as you're asking us what to write / to suggest ideas for your story. StackExchange is a question-and-answer forum intended for everyone to benefit from the questions. That being said, it sounds like you need flesh out the Judge as a character. Explore them, maybe even write a short interview with them to find out what kind of character they are, and then it should be obvious why they were prejudicial to your character.

– Erdrik Ironrose
3 hours ago










2 Answers
2






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oldest

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Have you considered racism? May not fit with your story, but maybe some kind of societal objection ... like wrong accent, hair too long, tattoos ... all arbitrary, but could influence someone to be more harsh/unfair.






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Peter Woolley is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • Thanks @Peter! Yes, racism had occurred to me, and would probably be a fairly good candidate, but I was hoping for something more subtle, and also I was hoping it would be something that the reader would also dislike the character for! (I'll amend the question now to reflect that.)

    – Poul
    3 hours ago











  • Perhaps, in that case, the issue could be with his attitude to the crime for which he is to stand trial. Contempt for the victim(s), or an attitude which shows that he doesn't consider the offence a big deal.

    – Peter Woolley
    1 hour ago



















2














In a modern setting, the prosecution may submit something like blogs or emails intended to prove the defendant was involved in some crime or had knowledge of it.



But the judge, in reading these blogs, finds the defendant's other opinions repellent, even though legal. These could be talking about a callous attitude toward women, for example, or how he insisted his girlfriend have an abortion, or a liberal attitude about drugs or immigrants, or any number of other things allowed as free speech, that grates on the judge.



In any case by reading the defendant's communications, the judge just doesn't like the defendant as a person or human being, even though the behavior itself does not rise to the level of criminal activity; it is just an "ick" factor for the judge and the reader.






share|improve this answer
























  • Yes, the callous attitude was exactly the type of thing I was thinking. Plus you've also added a way for the judge to find out this 'irrelevant' information in a plausible way. Thank you!

    – Poul
    2 hours ago











  • @Poul Vote up the answers you like, it doesn't cost you anything.

    – Amadeus
    1 hour ago











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2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes








2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









2














Have you considered racism? May not fit with your story, but maybe some kind of societal objection ... like wrong accent, hair too long, tattoos ... all arbitrary, but could influence someone to be more harsh/unfair.






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Peter Woolley is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • Thanks @Peter! Yes, racism had occurred to me, and would probably be a fairly good candidate, but I was hoping for something more subtle, and also I was hoping it would be something that the reader would also dislike the character for! (I'll amend the question now to reflect that.)

    – Poul
    3 hours ago











  • Perhaps, in that case, the issue could be with his attitude to the crime for which he is to stand trial. Contempt for the victim(s), or an attitude which shows that he doesn't consider the offence a big deal.

    – Peter Woolley
    1 hour ago
















2














Have you considered racism? May not fit with your story, but maybe some kind of societal objection ... like wrong accent, hair too long, tattoos ... all arbitrary, but could influence someone to be more harsh/unfair.






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Peter Woolley is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • Thanks @Peter! Yes, racism had occurred to me, and would probably be a fairly good candidate, but I was hoping for something more subtle, and also I was hoping it would be something that the reader would also dislike the character for! (I'll amend the question now to reflect that.)

    – Poul
    3 hours ago











  • Perhaps, in that case, the issue could be with his attitude to the crime for which he is to stand trial. Contempt for the victim(s), or an attitude which shows that he doesn't consider the offence a big deal.

    – Peter Woolley
    1 hour ago














2












2








2







Have you considered racism? May not fit with your story, but maybe some kind of societal objection ... like wrong accent, hair too long, tattoos ... all arbitrary, but could influence someone to be more harsh/unfair.






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Peter Woolley is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.










Have you considered racism? May not fit with your story, but maybe some kind of societal objection ... like wrong accent, hair too long, tattoos ... all arbitrary, but could influence someone to be more harsh/unfair.







share|improve this answer








New contributor




Peter Woolley is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer






New contributor




Peter Woolley is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









answered 3 hours ago









Peter WoolleyPeter Woolley

311




311




New contributor




Peter Woolley is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor





Peter Woolley is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Peter Woolley is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.













  • Thanks @Peter! Yes, racism had occurred to me, and would probably be a fairly good candidate, but I was hoping for something more subtle, and also I was hoping it would be something that the reader would also dislike the character for! (I'll amend the question now to reflect that.)

    – Poul
    3 hours ago











  • Perhaps, in that case, the issue could be with his attitude to the crime for which he is to stand trial. Contempt for the victim(s), or an attitude which shows that he doesn't consider the offence a big deal.

    – Peter Woolley
    1 hour ago



















  • Thanks @Peter! Yes, racism had occurred to me, and would probably be a fairly good candidate, but I was hoping for something more subtle, and also I was hoping it would be something that the reader would also dislike the character for! (I'll amend the question now to reflect that.)

    – Poul
    3 hours ago











  • Perhaps, in that case, the issue could be with his attitude to the crime for which he is to stand trial. Contempt for the victim(s), or an attitude which shows that he doesn't consider the offence a big deal.

    – Peter Woolley
    1 hour ago

















Thanks @Peter! Yes, racism had occurred to me, and would probably be a fairly good candidate, but I was hoping for something more subtle, and also I was hoping it would be something that the reader would also dislike the character for! (I'll amend the question now to reflect that.)

– Poul
3 hours ago





Thanks @Peter! Yes, racism had occurred to me, and would probably be a fairly good candidate, but I was hoping for something more subtle, and also I was hoping it would be something that the reader would also dislike the character for! (I'll amend the question now to reflect that.)

– Poul
3 hours ago













Perhaps, in that case, the issue could be with his attitude to the crime for which he is to stand trial. Contempt for the victim(s), or an attitude which shows that he doesn't consider the offence a big deal.

– Peter Woolley
1 hour ago





Perhaps, in that case, the issue could be with his attitude to the crime for which he is to stand trial. Contempt for the victim(s), or an attitude which shows that he doesn't consider the offence a big deal.

– Peter Woolley
1 hour ago











2














In a modern setting, the prosecution may submit something like blogs or emails intended to prove the defendant was involved in some crime or had knowledge of it.



But the judge, in reading these blogs, finds the defendant's other opinions repellent, even though legal. These could be talking about a callous attitude toward women, for example, or how he insisted his girlfriend have an abortion, or a liberal attitude about drugs or immigrants, or any number of other things allowed as free speech, that grates on the judge.



In any case by reading the defendant's communications, the judge just doesn't like the defendant as a person or human being, even though the behavior itself does not rise to the level of criminal activity; it is just an "ick" factor for the judge and the reader.






share|improve this answer
























  • Yes, the callous attitude was exactly the type of thing I was thinking. Plus you've also added a way for the judge to find out this 'irrelevant' information in a plausible way. Thank you!

    – Poul
    2 hours ago











  • @Poul Vote up the answers you like, it doesn't cost you anything.

    – Amadeus
    1 hour ago
















2














In a modern setting, the prosecution may submit something like blogs or emails intended to prove the defendant was involved in some crime or had knowledge of it.



But the judge, in reading these blogs, finds the defendant's other opinions repellent, even though legal. These could be talking about a callous attitude toward women, for example, or how he insisted his girlfriend have an abortion, or a liberal attitude about drugs or immigrants, or any number of other things allowed as free speech, that grates on the judge.



In any case by reading the defendant's communications, the judge just doesn't like the defendant as a person or human being, even though the behavior itself does not rise to the level of criminal activity; it is just an "ick" factor for the judge and the reader.






share|improve this answer
























  • Yes, the callous attitude was exactly the type of thing I was thinking. Plus you've also added a way for the judge to find out this 'irrelevant' information in a plausible way. Thank you!

    – Poul
    2 hours ago











  • @Poul Vote up the answers you like, it doesn't cost you anything.

    – Amadeus
    1 hour ago














2












2








2







In a modern setting, the prosecution may submit something like blogs or emails intended to prove the defendant was involved in some crime or had knowledge of it.



But the judge, in reading these blogs, finds the defendant's other opinions repellent, even though legal. These could be talking about a callous attitude toward women, for example, or how he insisted his girlfriend have an abortion, or a liberal attitude about drugs or immigrants, or any number of other things allowed as free speech, that grates on the judge.



In any case by reading the defendant's communications, the judge just doesn't like the defendant as a person or human being, even though the behavior itself does not rise to the level of criminal activity; it is just an "ick" factor for the judge and the reader.






share|improve this answer













In a modern setting, the prosecution may submit something like blogs or emails intended to prove the defendant was involved in some crime or had knowledge of it.



But the judge, in reading these blogs, finds the defendant's other opinions repellent, even though legal. These could be talking about a callous attitude toward women, for example, or how he insisted his girlfriend have an abortion, or a liberal attitude about drugs or immigrants, or any number of other things allowed as free speech, that grates on the judge.



In any case by reading the defendant's communications, the judge just doesn't like the defendant as a person or human being, even though the behavior itself does not rise to the level of criminal activity; it is just an "ick" factor for the judge and the reader.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 2 hours ago









AmadeusAmadeus

48.3k361153




48.3k361153













  • Yes, the callous attitude was exactly the type of thing I was thinking. Plus you've also added a way for the judge to find out this 'irrelevant' information in a plausible way. Thank you!

    – Poul
    2 hours ago











  • @Poul Vote up the answers you like, it doesn't cost you anything.

    – Amadeus
    1 hour ago



















  • Yes, the callous attitude was exactly the type of thing I was thinking. Plus you've also added a way for the judge to find out this 'irrelevant' information in a plausible way. Thank you!

    – Poul
    2 hours ago











  • @Poul Vote up the answers you like, it doesn't cost you anything.

    – Amadeus
    1 hour ago

















Yes, the callous attitude was exactly the type of thing I was thinking. Plus you've also added a way for the judge to find out this 'irrelevant' information in a plausible way. Thank you!

– Poul
2 hours ago





Yes, the callous attitude was exactly the type of thing I was thinking. Plus you've also added a way for the judge to find out this 'irrelevant' information in a plausible way. Thank you!

– Poul
2 hours ago













@Poul Vote up the answers you like, it doesn't cost you anything.

– Amadeus
1 hour ago





@Poul Vote up the answers you like, it doesn't cost you anything.

– Amadeus
1 hour ago










Poul is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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Poul is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












Poul is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
















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