MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT

[TexasStooge]

An appeals court in Canada heard a judge fell asleep during a criminal trial. Lawyers weren't sure what to do when Toronto, Ont., Justice Ayres Couto dozed off during a cross-examination. Crown Attorney Jennifer Strasberg decided to drop a copy of the 2,136-page Criminal Code on the judge's desk to wake him up. "I dropped the Code and His Honour was visibly stirred from his slumber," she testified later. The judge went on to convict the man, but the appeals court reversed that decision. (Toronto Star) ...To stir the judge, drop the Code on his desk. To keep him awake, drop it on his thumb.

[JCT777]

I would think that a judge might want to stay awake during a trial in which he or she is presiding. It kind of makes it tough to make a judgement when you sleep through the testimony.