MERCED — In a small county like Merced, Judge Jeanne Schechter sees a lot of familiar faces in her criminal courtroom, where some repeat offenders know they can keep things casual.
“Some of them are like, ‘Hi, yeah, I’m here again,’” she said. “I’ll ask how their family is doing. I try to make it a little more personal. I always want to treat them like they’re human beings. ... It doesn’t mean they’re bad people.”
... (continued)