IN CHAMBERS WITH JUDGE KEVIN Y. T. WIGGINS by Danielle Moore Baltimore County District Court Judge Kevin Y. T. Wiggins was born in the District of Columbia and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland. He received his bachelor’s degree from Towson University and his Juris Doctorate from the University Of Maryland Francis King Carey School Of Law. After graduation, Judge Wiggins clerked for the Honorable Marcella Holland, who proved to be a large influence on his legal career. Immediately after clerking, he began his career with the State’s Attorney Office where he stayed for fourteen years and worked his way up to Division Chief for the felony trial unit.
becoming a prosecutor taught him that his role as an attorney is much larger than arguing a side of a case and hoping for a victory. As a prosecutor you have the ability to correct any mistakes that may have been made during any part of arrest or afterwards. It is important to use that caution because it is your duty to make sure both the victim and the defendant are treated fairly and justice is upheld. Judge Wiggins mentioned that being on the bench is humbling and he is blessed. He always tries to be as fair as possible and he only cares about doing what’s right. That includes touching people and doing good.
Judge Wiggins knew he wanted to become a lawyer after participating in an intensive debate assignment given by his high school Intro to Law teacher, Mr. Houseley. The assignment resulted in the students doing a full mock trial and lit the fire for Judge Wiggins desire to practice law. He loved this assignment. However, it was not until his clerkship with the Honorable Marcella Holland that he realized he wanted to become a judge. Judge Holland, genuinely invested in his growth as an attorney, required more of him as a law clerk and felt his job as her clerk was learning what he wanted to do. As such, she allowed him to be very involved in chambers and in the court room.
The most challenging aspect of being a judge is the very nature of the job, which is making decisions that directly impact people. It may be a job to a judge but to the one person involved it could be the biggest moment in their life and you are deciding someone’s fate. Some decisions stick with you. When asked if there was a quote he leans upon it was “This too shall pass.” A phrase commonly used by his mother.
Fourteen years as a state’s attorney allowed Judge Wiggins to participate in many cases, including many heinous crimes. Although they were all impactful the one that touched him the most was a domestic case where a husband took the life of his wife on the court house steps because she wanted to leave him and he didn’t want anyone else to have her. This case was one of the most impactful for Judge Wiggins because it showed the many faces of domestic violence and left three children parentless. When asked what practicing law has taught him about life Judge Wiggins mentioned that with being a black male many expect you to be a public defender. However, going against the grain and
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Judge Wiggins was asked if there were any judge or lawyer to whom he’d like to pay homage or consider a trailblazer and he chose the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Judge Wiggins considers Justice Marshall a trailblazer because he had the confidence to do what young black people were not doing during his time. He is a cornerstone for everything. One of his favorite and suggested reads is Young Thurgood by Larry S. Gibson. Traits Judge Wiggins believes distinguishes a good lawyer from a great lawyer are attention to detail, preparation, knowing and studying your craft, and being an expert on your case - knowing it from every side. A great lawyer does not get caught unprepared. Tips he would offer to lawyers aspiring to become a judge are to get involved in the community. The community wants to know who you are. Be
June 2015