Our courts deal with the most serious of issues every day, making what in some cases are literally life or death decisions. So you can imagine how welcome the opportunities must be to lighten up—while still doing justice. And if you don't believe me, just check out these examples.

A Complimentary Ruling

In October 2017, Maui Judge Rhonda Loo took a novel approach in sentencing Daren Young on a domestic matter. The 30-year-old had pleaded no contest to violating a protective order obtained by his ex-girlfriend, for his sending 144 “nasty” text messages and calls. So Judge Loo embraced a “teachable moment,” ordering Young to write 144 compliments about his ex-girlfriend—with no repeating of words (he also was sentenced to time already served, two years of probation, 200 hours of community service, and $2,400 in fines). For Young's sake, let's hope one of her praiseworthy traits is “a forgiving nature.”