- James Pickles
Judge James Pickles (born
18 March 1925 inHalifax, Yorkshire [http://www.halifaxuk.com/city-info/ About Halifax] , HalifaxUK.com] ) is a former English Circuitjudge , now atabloid columnist.Legal career
Pickles' career as a judge was highly controversial, and some of his judgments made headline news, resulting in calls for judges to be held more accountable.Fact|date=November 2007 His most notorious case involved giving a lenient sentence to a rapist on the grounds that the victim had been "asking for it" [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2007/03/28/do2802.xml The sobering subject of consent] , The Telegraph newspaper, March 28 2007] .
He also courted controversy by publicly suggesting that young women might become pregnant between arrest and sentencing as a means of avoiding a prison sentence [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2876160.ece Divorce case judge tells sheikh to take off on his flying carpet] , The Times Newspaper, November 16, 2007] . And he was a vocal proponent of the legalization of
cannabis [http://www.tdpf.org.uk/MediaNews_Reform_supporters_CriminalJustice.htm#Pickles Criminal Justice, Judge James Pickles] , Transform Drug Policy Foundation.] .Writing career
Pickles retired as a judge in 1990. In addition to his tabloid journalism work, he has also written several novels and autobiographical books, including "Off the Record," "Judge for Yourself," and "Straight from the Bench."
Personal life
He is the nephew of radio presenter
Wilfred Pickles . His daughter,Carolyn Pickles , is an actress, who appeared in "Emmerdale " on television. His sister,Christina Pickles , is an actress, most famous for her role in US sitcom "Friends ." He has two sons, Roger and Simon Pickles.References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
