Walking Tall (1973)

Douglas Fowley: Judge Clarke

Quotes 

• Judge R.W. Clarke : [Buford has moved the Judge's Chambers into the men's room]  What the hell is going on here?

  Buford : I've read the book, Your Honor, and it clearly states on page 53 paragraph 6 that the sheriff has the right to assign all courtrooms and judges chambers... In view of your past judgements, I thought you might feel more at home here... You have your own choice of seats...

  [shows commodes] 

  Buford : There's no telephone yet, but you won't need one today...

  [Hands over search warrents] 

  Buford : Here's a list of search and seizure warrents... I want them by 3 O'clock today... Oh, and by the way, if word of any warrents, pardon the expression, "leaks out", well your distinguished career is over... Page 92, section 4.

  [Hands book to the judge] 

  Judge R.W. Clarke : I'll be damned!... I'LL BE DANMNED!

• Judge R.W. Clarke : Why you self appointed dictator!... All you know is force and violence!... You don't understand the simplest things about the law!

  Buford : I understand the difference between a poor honest judge and a rich dishonest one!

• Buford : That fight yesterday was for real... Obra could have been killed, and all you do is levy a 10 dollar fine!

  Judge R.W. Clarke : My prerogative... You run the streets, I run the courts!

  Buford : I bring em in and you let em go. it all becomes a big joke, and I don't care to trade lives for laughs... From now on I want maximum penalties!

• Judge R.W. Clarke : [after Buford is forced to release prisoners for not reading them their rights]  There's more to upholdin' the law than swingin' a big stick and kickin' down doors!

• Buford : [Buford is brought in to see Judge Clarke]  Fifty thousand dollars for bail?... They don't set that much in this state for premeditated murder... What's this about only one day to prepare for trial?

  Judge R.W. Clarke : You're ignorant of the law, Pusser... You refused counsel, so suffer the consequences of your foolishness... Do you have any idea what you face?

  Buford : Sure... Frame up.

  Judge R.W. Clarke : A possible sentence of 30 years... Now, whether you want it or not, I'm gonna give you the benefit of my legal wisdom... Don't go to trial. Plead guilty to the assault charge and make financial restitution, and I'll personally consider some lesser sentence!

  Buford : How much lesser?

  Judge R.W. Clarke : I'll work that out with Sheriff Thurman

  [Thurman glares at Buford] 

  Buford : In that case, I'll take my chances with the McNairy County jury.

  Judge R.W. Clarke : You're a damn fool, Buford!... but then we've already established that already, haven't we?

  [Buford is taken back to jail]