Judge Sims is the judge who presides over Kya’s trial for the murder of Chase Andrews. A fair man, Judge Sims tries to make sure that the jury isn’t biased because of Kya’s public image as the “Marsh Girl.” He also makes an announcement that anyone is welcome to sit wherever they like in the courthouse when some spectators are bothered by the fact that Jumpin’ and Mabel (who are African American) sit behind in Kya in what is generally considered the “white section.”
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Judge Sims Character Timeline in Where the Crawdads Sing
The timeline below shows where the character Judge Sims appears in Where the Crawdads Sing. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 38. Sunday Justice: 1970
Judge Sims announces that the state prosecutors will be seeking the death penalty if Kya is found...
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Chapter 40. Cypress Cove: 1970
...back. That woman, Rodney asserts, was Kya, though he calls her the “Marsh Girl”—a phrase Judge Sims rejects, instructing Rodney to call Kya “Miss Clark.” Going on, Rodney says that Chase Andrews...
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Chapter 45. Red Cap: 1970
...of the seating and sit next to Tate, directly behind Kya. When the bailiff tells Judge Sims what has happened, Sims forces him to make an announcement that anybody can sit anywhere...
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Chapter 52. Three Mountains Motel
...Kya board the bus to Greenville on October 28th and return on October 30th. When Judge Sims asks Eric if he’d like to cross-examine Mrs. Singletary, he declines, saying that the prosecution...
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Chapter 54. Vice Versa: 1970
...time wasn’t very long, but there’s nothing to do but file into the courtroom. When Judge Sims asks Kya to stand, she needs Tom to help hold her up. However, his support...
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