Grand Forks, N.D. (AP) Some North Dakota judges give a little advice to people they sentence in court.

Grand Forks Herald columnist Marilyn Hagerty asked state judges what advice they often give defendants who appear before them. She said she got the idea after talking with Grand Forks District Judge Joel Medd, and decided to e-mail other judges.

District Judge Richard Geiger (GY'-gur) of Grafton said he sometimes asks a defendant, "When you have dug yourself into a hole like this, don't you think it is about time to put down the shovel?" He said he got the idea from a book of cowboy sayings.

If defendants make too many excuses and blame others, Judge John McClintock of Rugby asks if they think someone else will serve their jail time. He told one drunken driver: "I don't care if you want to sit in your house and drink yourself into oblivion; but I do take it seriously when you step in your car; and I'm going to do whatever I can to prevent it." District Judge Jim Bekken of New Rockford said he reminds defendants that life is full of choices and consequences. He tells them it's "what they learn after they know it all" that really matters.

Information from: Grand Forks Herald, http://www.grandforksherald.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-20-09 1609CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list