Judge Josh Mann outlines retired-judge review and training options as committee prepares retention review

At its final session, the Joint Judicial Detention Committee heard from Judge Josh Mann about steps he has taken to respond to public comments and improve courtroom practices, including using a retired-judge review process and seeking targeted trainings.

Mann described a one-page letter he sent March 10 summarizing available resources and said the most “readily available and useful piece is the retired judge review process.” He told the committee the retired judge would receive the public comments that prompted the request, complete a review form and share comments with Mann so he could place them “in context.”

The nut of Mann’s presentation was practical: retired judges can observe hearings in person or remotely, review recorded hearings and provide written observations that Mann can discuss with them. He told the committee he had searched formal training options and found the National Judicial College had limited current offerings and that the Vermont Judicial College will offer a potentially relevant training this year. He also said international online resources he found (Australia, Canada) were often not “entirely on point.”

Mann acknowledged several specific complaints in the compiled comments and described steps he has taken to verify them. “I can’t remember yelling at anybody,” he said when asked about remarks alleging he yells in court; he said clerks and his own recollection have not corroborated that claim. On another common comment — that he “glares” at attorneys and witnesses — Mann said he suspects the perception comes when he stops typing to look at a speaker: “When I stop typing, that’s a really good indicator that maybe your point’s been made,” he said, adding that the shift from looking at screens to watching a speaker “might feel like a glare.”

Mann described technical and physical constraints that complicate courtroom perception. He noted Webex hearings can mute or hide participants, making it hard to get people’s attention remotely, and that in many courtrooms the witness box and video screens can leave him seeing the side or back of witnesses’ heads. He recommended an objective observer — a retired judge — to report on how Mann appears from the courtroom perspective.

Committee members commended Mann’s approach. A committee member (speaker 6) praised the plan and said small, practical changes — including courtroom arrangement — could help. Another member (speaker 4) flagged broader cultural concerns, saying many complaints are “probably gendered” and noting, “we don’t ask men to smile.” Several speakers expressed appreciation for Mann’s willingness to pursue outside review and training.

Later in the meeting, the committee chair introduced a motion that the committee go into executive session to consider the evaluation and retention of the seven superior-court judges and one magistrate up for retention this year. A committee member moved and another seconded and the chair called for those in favor; the provided transcript ends before a recorded vote or final outcome.