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John Taylor is the judge presiding over the Robinson case, and although he must maintain an air of impartiality while on the bench, the way he approaches the trial offers a glimpse into his personal values. Scout explains early on that Judge Taylor has a reputation for approaching the court with a level of informality. Achieving this detached appearance seems rather simple for him as he has a naturally calm presence and a casual demeanor, two qualities which seem to only grow stronger as he ages. At the same time, however, his masterful ability to maintain control of the courtroom reflects the seriousness with which he views his job. Judge Taylor refuses to let anyone disturb the court’s proceedings out of respect to all involved in the trial. This commitment to order and fairness is what ultimately causes lawyers like Atticus to hold him in such high esteem.
When it comes to the Robinson trial specifically, Judge Taylor’s approach in the courtroom seems no different than it would be for any other case. He insists on restoring order to the court after the audience erupts in response to Mr. Ewell’s testimony, attempts to make witnesses from both sides feel comfortable on the stand, and throws Mr. Deas out of court for speaking out of turn. The actions that Judge Taylor takes in order to prepare for the case, however, are more reflective of his personal values. He delays the trial, for example, to give Atticus ample time to prepare his defense. Given that court-appointed cases typically go to Maycomb’s least-experienced lawyers, the fact that he names Atticus as Tom’s lawyer in the first place highlights his desire to give Tom his best chance. Judge Taylor’s attempts to save an innocent Black man ultimately fail, but his willingness to use his power from within the legal system to seek change speaks to his upstanding moral character.
