Barney Hoffman, who retired from the Superior Court in 2002, died in April. Although he left the bench 22 years ago, this won't be about a jurist who's unknown to the practicing criminal bar. What his work and his life teach is how caring and humor create the unkillable legacy of a good judge.

Barney was first assistant prosecutor in Middlesex County in 1981 when he went on the bench. He was assigned to the criminal division two years later and never left. His judicial experience in criminal trials won't and can't be matched: He was the presiding criminal division judge when he retired, the longest sitting criminal judge in the state, having conducted over 325 criminal trials including over 50 first-degree homicide cases. Barney tried 11 capital murder cases, more than any other judge. He was the leading expert in sex crime cases during his tenure. He was called upon to do hard, serious stuff that demanded a dignified courtroom and exquisite attention to the people and the issues. As his reputation grew he lectured regularly to newly appointed judges and those rotating into the criminal division.