Arturo Lodeiro exudes a welcoming demeanor and eloquently presents his arguments with meticulousness and warmth that engages any conversational partner. As he approaches his 33rd birthday in September, he plans to step down from his role as a judge and the dean of the courts in Granadilla de Abona by the end of the year. He has been serving as a judge in this town since December 2021, dedicating almost five years wholeheartedly to the pursuit of justice. Despite his relatively young age, he has decided to retire from judging as he believes there are more impactful ways to contribute to society. His new focus will be on coaching, a field in which he aspires to build his professional future.
Those familiar with him mention hearing convicts in his court express their gratitude for his treatment and his personal explanations of his decisions. “I may have had hesitations about my judgments, but I believe it is the most sincere and compassionate course of action,” he shared with DIARIO DE AVISOS. When asked if he sees himself as a revolutionary judge, he adamantly states, “I do not perceive myself as a judge.”
While contemplating a complete shift in his career, he had a dream where he was on a boat with others rowing tirelessly. Suddenly, the boat began taking on water from a leak, and as he prepared to warn his companions, a voice told him, “They are too absorbed in their tasks to heed you.” Consequently, he leapt into the sea and observed his companions rowing aimlessly until the boat came to a halt. Instead of attributing this to the leak, they blamed his purported lack of competence.
This dream served as a metaphor that clarified his thoughts: the boat symbolised his work environment where professionals exert effort without clear direction, navigating the ocean of the judicial system aimlessly. “I cannot continue in this manner,” he realised, prompting his decision to chart a new course by the end of December.
“My focus will shift to coaching, to transform individuals and elevate their consciousness,” he declared, drawing parallels with an FBI agent in the movie ‘Call Him Bodhi,’ who infiltrates a gang of bank robbers posing as a surfer and eventually ends up at a police station clad in beach attire, carrying a surfboard.
Before transitioning from the realm of Justice, Arturo Lodeiro intends to leave his mark through revolutionary proposals related to his upcoming coaching endeavours. He diagnoses a dehumanisation within the judicial system, suggesting a shift towards placing individuals at its core to establish a new paradigm and approach to justice. “Without focusing on individuals, what are we truly working towards?” he emphasized.
“The system can be significantly enhanced by supporting personal transformation, thereby mutually benefiting from it,” he elucidated. He firmly believes that his proposals, aimed at fostering a heightened institutional awareness, could instigate substantial and enduring changes across all realms of justice.
With this vision in mind, the Court advocates for the introduction of a bespoke coaching programme for judges, prosecutors, lawyers, and justice administration officials. This programme aims to enable each professional to identify their primary strengths, areas needing improvement, and sources of empowerment, along with recognizing behaviours and habits contributing to the profound and transcendental aspects of their work. Similarly, the Court suggests a coaching initiative targeting individuals who shape legal precedents, standards, or occupy senior positions within the judiciary, such as members of the General Council of the Judiciary, the Supreme Court, higher courts of justice, provincial court magistrates, and institutional representatives.
YOUTH FACILITIES
Additionally, he proposes a collective coaching programme for young individuals in re-education and rehabilitation centres. This initiative seeks to not only fulfil their educational requirements but also to nurture their emergence as revitalised individuals with a fresh identity and approach, instilling in them unwavering confidence in their ability to access enduring resources for establishing a productive and meaningful life. He contends that without this intervention, releasing them with fines or other punitive measures will only lead them back to their previous behaviour patterns due to their detrimental environments. The goal is to create an alternative space through coaching where they feel acknowledged for the first time and are provided with untapped resources for a new beginning.
Furthermore, a fourth coaching programme is proposed for incarcerated individuals. This intervention would involve group and individual sessions aimed at reinforcing their self-worth and conveying the crucial role they play in society, emphasising that society values and requires them, offering a novel perspective to enable them to embrace a set of actions post-release, granting them genuine freedom to wield their potential for the betterment of society.
Arturo Lodeiro underscores the simplicity of coaching (having trained at an identity level) as a potent tool. “It involves listening to individuals and posing impactful questions. By daring to respond, their lives undergo a transformation. I challenged myself with questions, and I genuinely desire not to be a judge but to serve society and maximise my impact on as many people as possible.”
In conjunction with these initiatives, the dean judge of Granadilla de Abona advocates for the promotion of mediation (his court being a trailblazer in Tenerife) and alternative mechanisms for conflict resolution. “I am profoundly appreciative of the efforts and outcomes achieved at court number 2 of Granadilla through the Mediation Institute and the services provided by the Bar Association of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Special acknowledgment is reserved for the vice-dean and director of the Mediation Center, Mila Pacheco, and their colleague Sarahaft Paracuto [recently joined by Tamara López], along with the entire mediation team who have injected new vitality into the realm of Justice.”
He elaborates on the significance of this service, which has notably reduced minor criminal caseloads, deeming it a “treasure.” “It stands as the most significant contribution I have made to Granadilla, reciprocated with the municipality’s invaluable gift to me. There have been instances of assault charges culminating in embraces and even contact details exchanged by the involved parties. This epitomises the best in humanity,” he reflected.
Acknowledging the inadequate facilities to provide a pivotal service in a nation governed by the rule of law, he lamented, “The building, designed for two courts, is unsuitable for our requirements, yet we’ve adapted. A dysfunctional structure has persisted over time, with repercussions being felt.” He commended the dedicated professionals, highlighting, “The most commendable aspect of the Granadilla courts is its staff. They confront an overwhelmingly disproportionate workload daily. The personnel there are truly exceptional.”
Addressing the forthcoming inauguration of the fifth court, he recognises it as a partial relief, cautioning that it will not resolve the issue of overload. Paralleling this with his decision to pivot his career path, he affirmed, “I aim not to alleviate symptoms; this, precisely, propels me away from the Justice system. My intent is to tackle the root causes hindering an enhanced service delivery.”
