Hon. James N. O'Hara See Rating Details
Subcircuit Judge
Circuit Court
Cook County
Cook Judicial Circuit
See Comments

Attorney Average Rating:   5.2 - 7 rating(s)
Non-Attorney Average Rating:   - 0 rating(s)
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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)
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What others have said about Hon. James N. O'Hara


Comments


Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL2002
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge O'Hara is extremely knowledgeable and works hard to treat those who appear before him in an even handed manner. A trait possessed by great judges is the ability to know what is going on in the case, as opposed to what the lawyers tell him is going on. Judge O'Hara innately has this ability. Caveat: if you are less than candid with him or try to hide evidence , you have picked the wrong court room. He will hand you your head.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL1992
Rating:3.4
Comments:
My opinion -- he is the Spicoli of judges: clueless without much of a care. I agree with above comments that he thinks he can wing everything . . . and he does. He re-confirms why it is called Cook County "Circus" Court. The worst part are his settlement conferences. He strong arms and acts inappropriately, threatening parties that he will rule against them. Terrible.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL1745
Rating:2.7
Comments:
Not bright but thinks he is smarter than every lawyer who appears in front of him--a dangerous combination.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: IL1720
Rating:2.7
Comments:
Judge O'Hara thinks that he can nail it without reading motions. When was the last time that you nailed in your homework, without doing it? The same applies to him. 50% right 50% wrong. It would be easier just to flip a coin. Do not expect rulings based on law. I avoid cases if he is the judge. Also expensive: court reporters, appeals.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL1481
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Very capable

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: IL344
Rating:2.2
Comments:
Judge James O'Hara does not have the proper temperament, patience and above all, willingness to read and hear motions argue in front of him. He makes up his mind too quickly and often times without having even read a motion presented to him and/or having allowed proper arguments in front of him.

Prosecutor

Comment #: IL313
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Judge O'Hara is the best I have come across in my short career.