re: Stunned at how poorly a local judge was prepared.

Unfortunately, ill-prepared and ignorant judges are commonplace, especially at the state court level, where they are typically elected officials. Worse yet are judges who are overtly biased, deciding issues in favor of one side to promote a particular outcome based on personal relationships with counsel or ideological predispositions. You encounter that phenomenon at both the state and federal level, sadly. Truly impartial, knowledgeable judges who understand the law and apply it in an even-handed manner are - without exaggeration - the linchpin of the rule of law and democracy. I'm afraid the quality of federal judges is going to deteriorate, given that Biden seems intent on nominating based on ideology and identity, not pedigree and intellectual bona fides. Justice is a pantomime and a farce without good judges.