Client Publicly Insulted Me in Open Court Yesterday

UPDATE: Client apologized to me. I certainly appreciated it. I assume they don’t always end that way.

Yesterday, my client publicly insulted me on the record in arraignment court.

I wasn’t even scheduled to be in arraignment court, I was just there to observe, since I’ve only been on the job for a few weeks and arraignment court is normally reserved for slightly more experienced PDs.

Well, in walks my client to clear a bench warrant. This client is fairly new to me, another attorney was previously handling his case before I got his file.

I go up to assist and the client right away starts complaining about how there’s been multiple attorneys handling his case now.

I mistakenly cite the wrong court rule (I was trying to say the case against him would be dismissed if he shows up for court but I accidentally said the wrong number which made the judge think I meant something else) before quickly correcting myself.

My client was not pleased and questioned whether I was fit to practice law. I apologized for my mistake and thought it was over before the judge stepped in. The judge was furious over my client’s actions and threatened to hold him without bail for his demeanor in front of the court (he was eventually granted a PR bond).

The judge (and my supervisors) told me I was too timid and should have more forcibly asserted that I was the one in charge there and should not ever let my clients say those things on the record in front of me. Are they correct?

I’m new so I’m sure this is a rite of passage for most PDs but would like anyone else’s advice.

I just don’t feel it’s worth getting angry about this guy, considering if he shows up for his next court date, his case will be closed and he won’t even be my client anymore.

Thanks.