Judge Rothwax Character Analysis

Judge Rothwax is a New York City judge with a reputation for being difficult, cantankerous, and exacting. Sonia wins him over by promising to be ready for trial on a short timeline, so she doesn’t suffer as other lawyers do—he once puts a defense lawyer in jail for preventing a trial from starting. He’s known by various epithets that suggest he’s evil, but he’s wildly intelligent and has an excellent memory. Part of his reputation comes from a controversial book he wrote in which he proposed abolishing rules that he thinks hinder prosecutors and police. He came to these views after he became disillusioned in his earlier career as a civil rights advocate. Though Sonia disagrees with some of his views and dislikes what she refers to as his “Prince of Darkness persona,” he mentors her and shows her what it’s like to be a judge.