The dark eyes measured her; Cecelia felt suddenly as if she had become a novice rider, facing a stern judge in her first event.

'Edward Paxmore,' the stern judge began, 'I cannot have your blood on my hands.'

He appeared to be a stern judge, who did not suffer fools gladly and often imposed severe sentences in criminal cases.

"You don't want to see a meltdown or some sort of erratic behavior in front of a stern judge."

The teenager never envisioned the drama of angry parents, a stern judge and 18 months' probation.

They bow and take their seats on plastic chairs facing two stern judges in black robes and bright yellow traditional headwraps.

"She was a tough boss, hard critic, stern judge, and women still don't get approbation for those traits."

You have been commonly your own sternest judge.

Ben offers to pay for the fence, but the stern judge increases his community service each time he talks back.

Roberts and Weldon square off before a stern judge who immediately lets them know who is in charge of the courtroom.