NEBRASKA CITY –  A lot has stayed the same since Judge Robert Wester started his law practice 47 years ago – people sometimes need a phone call.

Judge Wester announced his retirement this spring from the Second Judicial District bench, where he has presided for nearly three decades after serving as a Sarpy County public defender.

His day at Otoe County Wednesday included time on the telephone after a lawyer asks for a continuance because he did not request an interpreter for his client.

The judge called an interpreter from his contact list and told the crowded courtroom that he would wait with great confidence as court staff attempted to improvise with an Internet-based appearance.

He was back on the phone after the county prosecutor cast doubt on the reliability of a defendant who claimed to have hired a lawyer.

He was calling again after the suspect in a daylong standoff with police asked for a bond reduction. 

The judge wanted to track down anyone who could put an alcohol monitoring device on the suspect.

His communications were more direct when asked to impose a fine in an attempted possession case.

A Kansas city musician had been stopped by the Nebraska State Patrol and charged with possession of methamphetamine. The judge consented to the prosecutor's recommendation for a fine after the charge was dropped to misdemeanor attempted possession, but first he wants the man to voluntarily return to AA meetings.

Wester: "Answer me honestly. I mean, meth is terrible ... Come on. How old are you? How old are you kids? It's not fair to them or you."

Judge Wester’s career includes a service to the community award in 2009 for his work with the Stephen Center, a shelter for the homeless.