"The Robing Room: IL State Judges

Hon. Robert E. Douglas	See Rating Details
Associate Judge Circuit Court
DuPage County Eighteenth Judicial Circuit	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 4.0 - 7 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 4.0 - 5 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

* Temperament		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Scholarship		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Industriousness		(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
* Ability to Handle Complex Litigation		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Punctuality		(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

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What others have said about Hon. Robert E. Douglas

Comments

Litigant

Comment #: IL4558
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I appeared before Judge Douglas on 8/27/24 as part of a family law case. I.E. divorce case. Myself and my wife both violated a verbal restraining order. Ya know, in Divorce emotions run high. Judge Douglas could have really leaned in to us, assess fines etc. Instead he was compassionate, understanding and encouraged us to make better choices all the while
speaking to us gently. I told my lawyer “That was the kindest tongue lashing I’ve ever received.”

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL4517
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Had no interest in my case. Refused facts. There was 0 logic involved. Complete 180 from my another case. Shockingly different experience. No interest in the wellbeing of children. Clearly does not want to be doing this type of casework.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL4394
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
I saved the 'Messenger' message because I don't think blocking should be allowed except for the most serious and extreme circumstances.

Looks like a gentle puppy.

Other

Comment #: IL4129
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He doesn't care about family law or the truth. He is extremely biased and goes against the recommendations of the GAL and professionals.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL4040
Rating:7.9

Comments:
I think he give Pro-Se more rope than he should but I think he is a better judge than the comments suggest.

Other

Comment #: IL3662
Rating:10.0

Comments:
He is a very kind and considerate judge. He has always been fair and across the board. Very compassionate judge and person.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL3559
Rating:2.4

Comments:
The majority of comments about Judge Douglas by others I would agree with. He is temperamental and unable to apply the law correctly in an even handed manner. Judge Douglas makes up his mind early who is going to win and then rules to achieve that outcome. Let real facts , evidence and case law be damned. He lacks wisdom and fairness. He is bully who should have remained in traffic court.

Litigant

Comment #: IL3558
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Do yourself a favor and take a change of Judge ?
Especially if you are a husband in a divorce case. I wish I had know the following about him: Judge Douglas applies his own brand of justice to those unfortunate enough to appear before him. Case law and facts matter less ( or not at all) than his visceral reaction . Simple divorce cases linger for years on his calendar , while the lawyers fleece the quarreling couple of their assets. Proceed at your own risk. You have been warned.

Litigant

Comment #: IL3496
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
My custody case just got transferred to this judge in search of a fair judge who will protect the human rights of children who've lost their freedom in case 2012 Mr 1074. I'm very hopeful and optimistic this judge will be fair and restore fundamental human rights to missing children who love and need a extended big loving safe family who has not been able to contact them in almost 3 years. Any advice anyone can give me on this judge would be very much appreciated thank you.

Other

Comment #: IL2846
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Shocking to hear that if this Judge had to justify a certain ruling he made in the last 24 hours, he would only be able to table excuses.When there is a history to the case you take it into account. Especialy when young and special needs childrens wellbeing is at risk. You dont just run them through because you have no incling into the level of your responsibility. That is just it, you have a responsibility to dish out justice not your sloppy aproach to what you chose to do for a living.

Litigant

Comment #: IL2246
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Seems to make decisions without fully looking at all of the facts. If he feels like maybe he regretted an earlier decision, he will sculpt his next decision to make up for it. Not up to date on new legislation and does not make rulings based on any statute or facts of the matter.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL2146
Rating:4.0

Comments:
Judge Douglas seems to make up his mind early which litigant he likes and which he does not. He seems to make quick decisions and then looks for facts to support his early impressions. Rather than waiting for all the evidence to come in before reaching a decision. He doesn't truly know what's going on in the cases in front of him, as opposed to what the lawyers are telling him is going on. If you are successful in your field or of a more progressive political bent then you should avoid Judge Douglas . To be fair to you he has to like you . Many times I have seen his personal biases for or against a litigant determine the outcome of a case. If Judge Douglas likes your client then he or she can do no wrong. If your client is on the wrong side of that equation then they are in big trouble. One of the hardest things for a judge to learn is to apply the law fairly and equally to all. And not to let personal biases interfere with his judgment . It would be refreshing if Judge Douglas let the facts and the law determine the outcome of cases. But that isn't him! At least not yet.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL2082
Rating:8.1

Comments:
A very thoughtful and hard working judge. Always starts court on time. Is courteous to everyone in the courtroom and handles pro se litigants in a very compassionate manner. His rulings always seem well reasoned.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL2001
Rating:3.3

Comments:
Judge Douglas is a confused jurist , who often appears overwhelmed . He is unwilling or unable to apply the law in an even handed manner. Perhaps this is due , despite his age, to his relative inexperience. He has only one reported civil jury trial in more than 25 years as a practicing lawyer. If you are a divorce lawyer or a divorce litigant you would be well advised to take an SOJ. His rulings are often based on his whims and not on case law or on facts. For this reason he is unpredictable . Judge Douglas is quickly developing a reputation as a thin skinned jurist with a vindicative streak. Look else where if you expect a working fund of legal knowledge , experience, insight or compassion from a judge. Judge Douglas is a military like by the book kind of judge without the wisdom to do justice to those who appear in front of him.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL920
Rating:1.5

Comments:
He is extremely rude.