Eugene Michael Hyman
Encyclopedia
Eugene Michael Hyman, J.D.
, (born May 14, 1950) is a judge for the Superior Court of Santa Clara County
, where he has served for almost 20 years, and a legal analyst. He helped create and serves in the field of "Therapeutic Jurisprudence", a philosophy and system that advocates treatment for particular categories of offenders, such as domestic violence
, which is his specialty. Hyman has presided over cases in the criminal, family, probate
, civil, and delinquency
divisions of the court. He is an opponent of the Three strikes law
and considered an "international expert on preventing juvenile, family, and domestic violence". Hyman was elected and took his oath of office on January 8, 1997. Judge Hyman is the first American to receive the United Nations
Public Service
Award.
Hyman presided over the first family/juvenile violence court in the United States to focus exclusively on teenage victims and perpetrators.
law degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law
in 1977. He is a former police officer and trial lawyer.
during May 2008, Hyman gave a PowerPoint presentation at Australia's Victim Support Act conference. He has published numerous articles on domestic violence. One of his specialties is in the area of domestic violence cases that also include substance abuse and/or mental health. He also specializes in offenses involving sexual abuse
, stalking, strangulation, and other unique circumstances that may co-occur with domestic violence. Hyman is a proponent of Australia's Three Strikes law.
In 1999, Santa Clara County established a unique court for teen domestic violence with Hyman as the presiding judge. The court hears only cases "solely with teenage batterers and their victim."
During February 2010, while making a ruling
on the bench, Hyman made an a comment regarding a boycott of Judge Andrea Bryan. "I look to my colleague, who is now a subject of much public debate and in some quarters ridicule, and wonder whether or not I would have the courage to do what I thought was right." In this case involving a murder suspect, Hyman found the individual factually innocent.
. During December 2009, Hyman stated "A large percentage of [DCFS] cases that are investigated are never filed with a court; Such a scenario is particularly likely given the family's celebrity status" inre Charlie Sheen
's domestic problems.
In 2010, Hyman was interviewed concerning the death of Allison Myrick and commented on how the legal system fails abusive relationships.
.
During May 2010, Hyman was on the "Developing Therapeutic Judging Panel" representing problem-focused domestic violence courts in East Melbourne, Victoria
.
, where he has taught a Domestic Violence Law Seminar. He has over 20 years of experience as a law instructor.
, Zoe Lofgren
recognized Hyman for the United Nations award.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
, (born May 14, 1950) is a judge for the Superior Court of Santa Clara County
Superior Court of Santa Clara County
The Superior Court of Santa Clara County is the California Superior Court for Santa Clara County.-Judges:The current judges are:* Joyce Allegro* Mary Arand* Kenneth Paul Barnum* Thang Nguyen Barrett* Paul R. Bernal* Susan Bernardini* Arthur Bocanegra...
, where he has served for almost 20 years, and a legal analyst. He helped create and serves in the field of "Therapeutic Jurisprudence", a philosophy and system that advocates treatment for particular categories of offenders, such as domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
, which is his specialty. Hyman has presided over cases in the criminal, family, probate
Probate
Probate is the legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person by resolving all claims and distributing the deceased person's property under the valid will. A probate court decides the validity of a testator's will...
, civil, and delinquency
Juvenile delinquency
Juvenile delinquency is participation in illegal behavior by minors who fall under a statutory age limit. Most legal systems prescribe specific procedures for dealing with juveniles, such as juvenile detention centers. There are a multitude of different theories on the causes of crime, most if not...
divisions of the court. He is an opponent of the Three strikes law
Three strikes law
Three strikes laws)"are statutes enacted by state governments in the United States which require the state courts to hand down a mandatory and extended period of incarceration to persons who have been convicted of a serious criminal offense on three or more separate occasions. These statutes became...
and considered an "international expert on preventing juvenile, family, and domestic violence". Hyman was elected and took his oath of office on January 8, 1997. Judge Hyman is the first American to receive the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Public Service
Public services
Public services is a term usually used to mean services provided by government to its citizens, either directly or by financing private provision of services. The term is associated with a social consensus that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income...
Award.
Hyman presided over the first family/juvenile violence court in the United States to focus exclusively on teenage victims and perpetrators.
Early life, education and career
Eugene Michael Hyman received his Juris DoctorJuris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
law degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law
Santa Clara University School of Law
The Santa Clara University School of Law is the law school of Santa Clara University, a Jesuit university in Santa Clara, California, in the Silicon Valley region. The School of Law was founded in 1911...
in 1977. He is a former police officer and trial lawyer.
1990 to present
In 1990, Hyman was appointed to the Santa Clara County Municipal Court. He has appeared as a legal panelist to governmental, judicial, and other forums concerning domestic violence in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other countries. While in Canberra, AustraliaCanberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
during May 2008, Hyman gave a PowerPoint presentation at Australia's Victim Support Act conference. He has published numerous articles on domestic violence. One of his specialties is in the area of domestic violence cases that also include substance abuse and/or mental health. He also specializes in offenses involving sexual abuse
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
, stalking, strangulation, and other unique circumstances that may co-occur with domestic violence. Hyman is a proponent of Australia's Three Strikes law.
In 1999, Santa Clara County established a unique court for teen domestic violence with Hyman as the presiding judge. The court hears only cases "solely with teenage batterers and their victim."
During February 2010, while making a ruling
Court order
A court order is an official proclamation by a judge that defines the legal relationships between the parties to a hearing, a trial, an appeal or other court proceedings. Such ruling requires or authorizes the carrying out of certain steps by one or more parties to a case...
on the bench, Hyman made an a comment regarding a boycott of Judge Andrea Bryan. "I look to my colleague, who is now a subject of much public debate and in some quarters ridicule, and wonder whether or not I would have the courage to do what I thought was right." In this case involving a murder suspect, Hyman found the individual factually innocent.
Television analyst
Hyman has appeared on television and radio shows as a legal analyst. In 2009, he analyzed the potential domestic violence case concerning Chris Brown and RihannaRihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
. During December 2009, Hyman stated "A large percentage of [DCFS] cases that are investigated are never filed with a court; Such a scenario is particularly likely given the family's celebrity status" inre Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estevez , better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American film and television actor. He is the youngest son of actor Martin Sheen....
's domestic problems.
In 2010, Hyman was interviewed concerning the death of Allison Myrick and commented on how the legal system fails abusive relationships.
Legal conferences participation
In 2003, Hyman was a panelist on domestic violence the 30th annual Western Society of Criminology in Vancouver, CanadaVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
.
During May 2010, Hyman was on the "Developing Therapeutic Judging Panel" representing problem-focused domestic violence courts in East Melbourne, Victoria
East Melbourne, Victoria
East Melbourne is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, adjacent to Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Melbourne. At the 2006 Census, East Melbourne had a population of 4,330....
.
Academic relationship
Hyman is also a lecturer at the Santa Clara University School of LawSanta Clara University School of Law
The Santa Clara University School of Law is the law school of Santa Clara University, a Jesuit university in Santa Clara, California, in the Silicon Valley region. The School of Law was founded in 1911...
, where he has taught a Domestic Violence Law Seminar. He has over 20 years of experience as a law instructor.
Awards
On June 23, 2008, Hyman, along with the Santa Clara County Superior Court was honored with the United Nations Public Service Award. On the same day in the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, Zoe Lofgren
Zoe Lofgren
Zoe Lofgren is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1995. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is based in San Jose.-Early life, education, and early career:...
recognized Hyman for the United Nations award.