Robert Lynn Batts
Judge Batts no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Batts decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Treats the right to appeal as legitimate even when the amount in dispute is modest compared with litigation costs.
“Appellant had a right to appeal, and is not to be criticized for the exercise of the right.”
Sends a pleaded setoff to the jury when no writing or prior determination forecloses the defense.
“no reason appears why the claim asserted should not be submitted to a jury.”
Procedural preferences
Will not let a harmless clerical transposition defeat the purpose of a bond.
“A mere clerical inaccuracy, re-*62suiting in .no harm to any person at interest, ought not to be permitted to defeat the purpose of the law and the intentions of the parties to the- bond.”
Modifies sale terms narrowly when the underlying equitable-partition judgment is otherwise supported.
“A slight modification may be made without injury to the parties.”
Cautions
Recognizes that a general negligence verdict may stand when the evidence supports simple negligence even if a wanton-negligence theory is unsupported.
“there being evidence to sustain a finding of simple negligence, and there being no evidence which would justify a finding that plaintiff was guilty of contributory negligence, the judgment is affirmed.”
Treats concealment of a mortgage to facilitate new borrowing as legal fraud against creditors.
“the mortgage may be set aside.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The judgment is reversed.”
A historical record
Judge Batts no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.