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Cursing in court gets you 120 days... fair? (Original Post) Oktober Nov 2014 OP
Absolutely. As a criminal defense attorney, I will note to you that the judge did not respond at msanthrope Nov 2014 #1
LOL, of course you would support 4 months in jail for cussing. You are part of the problem. nt Logical Nov 2014 #65
Judges must maintain order MattBaggins Nov 2014 #77
Well shit, let's make it three years, that will teach him. Nt Logical Nov 2014 #78
As I noted, the sentence was running concurrent with a revoke. Further, msanthrope Nov 2014 #114
He didn't run it concurrently with his no bond status on the open case. rug Nov 2014 #119
Reespect mah athorithay! nt Xipe Totec Nov 2014 #2
Reminded me of "The Breakfast Club" where Bender kept getting more detentions. Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #3
Getting into a pissing contest with a judge usually isn't a good idea. Lurks Often Nov 2014 #4
no, not fair. way too long a sentence especially for people who are not familiar with courts etc La Lioness Priyanka Nov 2014 #5
Probably could have figured it out after the first one... Oktober Nov 2014 #7
Guy was about to get just 60 days but then he had to push it even further. dilby Nov 2014 #9
not familiar with courts??? TorchTheWitch Nov 2014 #33
putting aways omeone for 4 months because they cursed at a judge is beyond stupid La Lioness Priyanka Nov 2014 #35
I have a feeling he won't do it again. Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #39
Well shit, then make it 6 months. What a stupid argument. nt Logical Nov 2014 #66
Deterrence is stupid? Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #71
LOL, Exactly? so somehow you know two weeks wouldnt of worked?? Nt Logical Nov 2014 #74
Well he got 60 days for saying it the first time, then he promptly did it again. Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #79
Nearly everybody here thinks the extra 60 days is fair. I'm not sure about it but... BlueJazz Nov 2014 #63
the guy had his opportunity to keep it at 60 days . . . he decided to push it DrDan Nov 2014 #45
What kind of familiarity do you need to know not to call the judge a cock? Renew Deal Nov 2014 #55
I have a hunch it's not his first time in court KinMd Nov 2014 #76
Guy deserved it. dilby Nov 2014 #6
No, that's absurd. ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #8
agreed. La Lioness Priyanka Nov 2014 #10
Strongly disagree. Respect for the law is very much in the public interest. badtoworse Nov 2014 #11
The law is often against public interest. ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #16
Thanks, but I'll stick with the law. - nt badtoworse Nov 2014 #30
Why is that? nt ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #85
I'm not a big fan of anarchy. badtoworse Nov 2014 #89
Nothing the poster said would bring about anarchy in any way. nt. NCTraveler Nov 2014 #96
"We should have absolutely no respect for the law, ... badtoworse Nov 2014 #97
No, its not. NCTraveler Nov 2014 #98
Anarchy was in response to ZombieHorde's post that talked about no respect for the law. badtoworse Nov 2014 #99
Thank you. ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #105
From your few, yet succint words here, I think we take a similar stance. NCTraveler Nov 2014 #116
I suspect ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #121
I was advocating nonviolent solutions to nonviolent problems. ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #101
You've moderated your position badtoworse Nov 2014 #117
I don't think calling anyone a cocksucker is cool. ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #120
Was the law against the public interest in the hearing when this particular case took place? LanternWaste Nov 2014 #34
My statement was about how we treat people. ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #83
OK, let's forget pipi_k Nov 2014 #47
Would you sentence someone to 120 days in jail for calling ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #84
LOL, do you really pay attention to the legal system...... Logical Nov 2014 #68
So how would what this jerk did improve things? badtoworse Nov 2014 #90
To be fair the guy was in front of the judge for assault with a knife. dilby Nov 2014 #12
I agree, but that is not why he was sentenced for 120 days. nt ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #17
What would our court system look like if you could just address the judge anyway you like? dilby Nov 2014 #25
The guy made a rude remark as he walked away. ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #80
It degrades the authority of the justice system... Oktober Nov 2014 #13
The justice system is corrupt, and should be degraded. nt ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #82
While I don't agree with what he did.... NCTraveler Nov 2014 #21
What would you suggest pipi_k Nov 2014 #48
How about a night in jail to see if he gets the message... Hippo_Tron Nov 2014 #62
Well, he got 60 days off the bat the first time he did it, then he promptly did it again. Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #111
Just guessing he's a little late for a "Scared Straight" approach. alphafemale Nov 2014 #118
Literally hundreds of suggestions over removing him from society and taking away his rights. NCTraveler Nov 2014 #95
Should Bernie Madoff have gone to prison? Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #40
I am not benefited in any way by him being incarcerated. ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #81
The way that people benefit is that others may see the severe sentence he got, Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #86
Loss of assets would scare most wealthy people. nt ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #87
Easy for them to stash millions beyond reach, even if they are caught. Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #92
I would rather we change that than continue our violence. nt ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #100
The judge was more than patient leftynyc Nov 2014 #14
The guy should sue NobodyHere Nov 2014 #15
He has a First Amendment right to call a judge a "cocksucker" during court proceedings? (nt) Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #41
good luck with that . . . bet he would have a hard time finding someone to take that case DrDan Nov 2014 #44
and who is going to decide his suit? a judge. dismissed. jberryhill Nov 2014 #51
Fuck no OriginalGeek Nov 2014 #18
YOU BEAT ME TO IT! Old Nick Nov 2014 #20
It's the law. Fair has nothing to do with it. Ykcutnek Nov 2014 #19
I don't think a cell was the only option with respect to punishment under the law. nt. NCTraveler Nov 2014 #26
Wrong, the judge is not forced to use 120 days. WTF? nt Logical Nov 2014 #67
I would say a judge deserves an amount of respect. Then........... wandy Nov 2014 #22
Companies don't run county jails. former9thward Nov 2014 #107
Oh. Does that mean they are allowed to or......... wandy Nov 2014 #112
It probably means counties have not found anybody willing to do it. former9thward Nov 2014 #113
He deserved it and needs some serious attitude adjustments. DebJ Nov 2014 #23
You're right NobodyHere Nov 2014 #57
LOL nope. The dangerous brat with the attitude of a 2 year old. DebJ Nov 2014 #60
So..... NobodyHere Nov 2014 #73
So was that 60 days for the knife and 120 days for being rude? Iggo Nov 2014 #24
60 days for one insult... and then another 60 for a second when he wasn't happy about it... Oktober Nov 2014 #27
YEah that's ridiculous OriginalGeek Nov 2014 #31
He had his bond revoked so he swore dilby Nov 2014 #28
No. Calling a judge a cock does though Boom Sound 416 Nov 2014 #29
Strange as it may seem a courtroom is not a democracy. lpbk2713 Nov 2014 #32
A criminal defense attorney friend calls it "robe fever" when judges act like that.. Hassin Bin Sober Nov 2014 #42
Rule 1 in court: Shut the fuck up chrisa Nov 2014 #36
Twice... Oktober Nov 2014 #37
If dumb ass had said that to the judge in a grocery store he walks. IADEMO2004 Nov 2014 #38
100% appropriate DrDan Nov 2014 #43
Good for the judge. bigwillq Nov 2014 #46
Not sure pipi_k Nov 2014 #49
Maybe--maybe--it would get him to appreciate bigwillq Nov 2014 #52
In the judge's sandbox, ya gotta play by the judge's rules. Absolutely fair. WillowTree Nov 2014 #50
He'll probably learn even worse behavior from other inmates. Louisiana1976 Nov 2014 #58
I have a feeling he won't be mouthing off to judges again, though (nt) Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #59
Not fair. 2 weeks is fair. nt Logical Nov 2014 #69
Only if it takes place in a venue that you control. WillowTree Nov 2014 #72
Hey I get it tough sentences just like the GOP loves! nt Logical Nov 2014 #75
He got 60 days the first time he did it, then promptly did it again. Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #93
What did he think was going to happen? Not too bright, that one is. n/t Throd Nov 2014 #53
In this case yes. Renew Deal Nov 2014 #54
The inability to shut the hell up in court shows a lack of impulse control that is dangerous Recursion Nov 2014 #56
Please explain to me what good this does for society to have him in jail for 4 months Hippo_Tron Nov 2014 #61
No, but judges get to do what they want. Immunity and all. nt Logical Nov 2014 #64
Yup totally fair. Egnever Nov 2014 #70
How many worse things can you do JonLP24 Nov 2014 #88
A person shouldn't behave that way. WhiteAndNerdy Nov 2014 #91
Absolutely absurd. RedCappedBandit Nov 2014 #94
How hard is it not to call a judge a cock? Recursion Nov 2014 #103
The issue is the fairness of the punishment. RedCappedBandit Nov 2014 #104
Contempt of court is not a question of law but of demeanor Recursion Nov 2014 #106
None of that has anything to do RedCappedBandit Nov 2014 #108
I don't see it as absurd. Recursion Nov 2014 #109
Your sarcasm aside, we disagree. RedCappedBandit Nov 2014 #115
Well he got 60 days for the first time he did it, then he promptly did it again. Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #110
The judge was actually pretty cool for the first two times Recursion Nov 2014 #102
 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
1. Absolutely. As a criminal defense attorney, I will note to you that the judge did not respond at
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:04 PM
Nov 2014

all to the first use of profanity.

But the gay slur used against the judge was deserving of time. And the judge was extremely patient. The continued misbehavior?

Yeah....120 days, served concurrently with the no bond, is about right.

He could probably get it cut if he sobers up and writes a letter of apology to the judge.

 

msanthrope

(37,549 posts)
114. As I noted, the sentence was running concurrent with a revoke. Further,
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:46 PM
Nov 2014

as I noted, most judges will cut a contempt sentence with a sincere apology.

A defendant she will not show the court respect will probably not show the public defender respect.... as an attorney who has been frightened by clients, even assaulted by clients, and yet still maintains faith in the justice system, it is not I who is part of the problem.

Who are you to judge me? I have stoid at the bar of the court advocating for the rights of those who are dispossessed. What do you do?

 

rug

(82,333 posts)
119. He didn't run it concurrently with his no bond status on the open case.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 10:30 PM
Nov 2014

There is no sentence to run in concurrent with.

Assuming, which you did, that he will be convicted on the open charge, it will be the decision of the judge who imposes that sentence whether that will run concurrent with these contempt sentences.

I highly doubt the judge punished him because it was a homophobic slur. He punished him because he dissed him.

These video arraignments are bad enough without some jackass in a black robe thumping his chest.

 

Lurks Often

(5,455 posts)
4. Getting into a pissing contest with a judge usually isn't a good idea.
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:10 PM
Nov 2014

The rocket scientist should have kept his mouth shut and let his attorney do the talking.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
79. Well he got 60 days for saying it the first time, then he promptly did it again.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 01:14 AM
Nov 2014

So I strongly suspect that 2 weeks would indeed not have worked.

 

BlueJazz

(25,348 posts)
63. Nearly everybody here thinks the extra 60 days is fair. I'm not sure about it but...
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 11:47 PM
Nov 2014

..I do know this: Why in the hell do the taxpayers have to pay for this guys room and board because he's drunk and had a thinking problem, while in court. He was gonna' get 60 days anyway..I don't want to pay for his "Manners".

If he was homeless, I'd be in a more caring mood.

DrDan

(20,411 posts)
45. the guy had his opportunity to keep it at 60 days . . . he decided to push it
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 07:16 PM
Nov 2014

the length of the sentence was based on TWO infractions - he should have figured that out after the first

no sympathy from me - that judge gets my vote

dilby

(2,273 posts)
6. Guy deserved it.
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:13 PM
Nov 2014

Maybe next time he will show a little respect or at a minimum keep his stupid mouth shut when he is standing in front of the Judge. Most of the Judges I have had interaction with were pretty fair and even helped explain the law to people, they are not cops, they don't take sides.

ZombieHorde

(29,047 posts)
8. No, that's absurd.
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:14 PM
Nov 2014

Locking people in cages should only be done to protect the public, and calling the judge names is not harmful to the public.

 

badtoworse

(5,957 posts)
11. Strongly disagree. Respect for the law is very much in the public interest.
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:25 PM
Nov 2014

This moron's conduct would undermine that respect if the judge did not respond appropriately.

ZombieHorde

(29,047 posts)
16. The law is often against public interest.
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:37 PM
Nov 2014

Law is violence and paperwork, and this violence and paperwork isn't always being used to protect us. In fact, this violence and paperwork is often used against us. Institutional racism, homelessness, hunger, and the highest incarceration rates in the world is what our laws have given us, amongst some beneficial things as well.

We should have absolutely no respect for the law, and instead lay our respect on humanity. People above law. People above tradition.

Law is a fantastic servant, but a terrible master.

 

badtoworse

(5,957 posts)
97. "We should have absolutely no respect for the law, ...
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 09:38 AM
Nov 2014

... and instead lay our respect on humanity. People above law. People above tradition." Sounds great, but it's a recipe for anarchy

 

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
98. No, its not.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 09:41 AM
Nov 2014

If you read what they have written in this thread, it is clear they are not advocating a position that is consistent with anarchy in any way. It is pretty clear. It is just easier for you to throw out "anarchy" and not actually debate. It is an attempt to label them with a label that doesn't fit. Pretty bad technique.

 

badtoworse

(5,957 posts)
99. Anarchy was in response to ZombieHorde's post that talked about no respect for the law.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 09:50 AM
Nov 2014

Sorry, but where there is no respect for the law, you have anarchy.

As for the thread as a whole, calling a judge a "cocksucker" is very disrespectful of the law (and pretty stupid). I have no sympathy for him.

ZombieHorde

(29,047 posts)
105. Thank you.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:21 PM
Nov 2014

I would like to think most people understand moderation. I want a strong, socialist government, but I also want it to be as nonviolent as possible. The US locks up far too many people, in my opinion.

 

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
116. From your few, yet succint words here, I think we take a similar stance.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:50 PM
Nov 2014

I do think you bring it a little further than I would but overall our thoughts are in the same direction. The changes we would like to see are huge. Far too many people are in jail who pose no threat to anyone. It is awful and takes away opportunity because of mistakes.<- Not the best wording but it gets my point across. Mistake is such a relevant term.

I didn't understand the anarchist label being put on you by the other poster. A couple of things you wrote were not in line with anarchy so I felt it was just a way to label you in order to shut down debate. It happens all too often and I have been guilty of it myself. It is easier than thinking.

"The US locks up far too many people, in my opinion."

I would like to think a majority agree with your opinion. I do question that when I read some of the things here. I often see people very gleeful over long sentences of non-violent offenders. The cheering of a four month sentence for mouthing off to a judge kind of let me know where my thoughts stand in reference to progressives around me on this topic.

ZombieHorde

(29,047 posts)
101. I was advocating nonviolent solutions to nonviolent problems.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:13 PM
Nov 2014

This doesn't require anarchy, but it may require a moderate view of law. When asked, most people on DU admit to being criminals, and I don't believe they need to be subjected to violence and neither do they. So many people, at least here and at least for themselves, want a moderate view of law, as opposed to the two extremes of anarchy and law as highest ideal.

The situation in the video was even tamer than the crimes of many DUers (drugs and piracy), and I don't think being peaceful when someone mutters an insult as they walk away from a judge will lead to the downfall of the US government. If that is all it takes, then the US is doomed anyway, and we might as well be peaceful in our final days.

 

badtoworse

(5,957 posts)
117. You've moderated your position
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:54 PM
Nov 2014

"We should have absolutely no respect for the law..." were your words. That is the essence of anarchy.

We have a very different view as to the proper place for the law in our society. You're OK with calling a judge a cocksucker and I'm not. I don't think we are going to find any common ground.

ZombieHorde

(29,047 posts)
120. I don't think calling anyone a cocksucker is cool.
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 02:48 AM
Nov 2014

I just don't think the behavior requires violence. I believe words should be used against words.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
34. Was the law against the public interest in the hearing when this particular case took place?
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:58 PM
Nov 2014

Was the law against the public interest in the hearing when this particular case took place? If not, what's the precise relevance of that sentiment?

ZombieHorde

(29,047 posts)
83. My statement was about how we treat people.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 02:27 AM
Nov 2014

Should we use violence against those who call people names? I don't think so, but I am definitely in the minority on that.

pipi_k

(21,020 posts)
47. OK, let's forget
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 07:24 PM
Nov 2014

respect for the law.


How about respect for one's self.

Respect for other people.


Unless the guy has Tourette's or something, he's got no excuse for acting like an asshole in a place that other people respect.

I would say the same thing about anyone acting like an asshole in church, even though I'm an atheist.

ZombieHorde

(29,047 posts)
84. Would you sentence someone to 120 days in jail for calling
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 02:28 AM
Nov 2014

the minister a bad name while he or she walked out of the church?

 

Logical

(22,457 posts)
68. LOL, do you really pay attention to the legal system......
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 11:54 PM
Nov 2014

need some examples of rulings that really make the legal system look bad?

You make me laugh.

dilby

(2,273 posts)
12. To be fair the guy was in front of the judge for assault with a knife.
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:28 PM
Nov 2014

In my opinion that did make him a danger to the public.

dilby

(2,273 posts)
25. What would our court system look like if you could just address the judge anyway you like?
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:49 PM
Nov 2014

There is a reason we allow Judges to put people in contempt of court and it's to keep our court systems from looking like complete Anarchy.

ZombieHorde

(29,047 posts)
80. The guy made a rude remark as he walked away.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 02:17 AM
Nov 2014

He wasn't interfering with our punishment system in anyway.

 

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
21. While I don't agree with what he did....
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:46 PM
Nov 2014

and think there should be some form of repercussion, locking him in a cage for 120 days is more of a reflection of society than what he did. We need to stop this lust for locking people up. It really is disturbing. I don't get the lust some have for this form of punishment. This 120 days was only for his courtroom behavior, which was bad, but it doesn't justify a jail cell for four months. How about using one brain cell and coming up with a different solution for him, jail won't make him a better person.

Hippo_Tron

(25,453 posts)
62. How about a night in jail to see if he gets the message...
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 11:46 PM
Nov 2014

He can then come back the next day and try again. Repeat as needed. 120 days off the bat is fucking ridiculous.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
111. Well, he got 60 days off the bat the first time he did it, then he promptly did it again.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:40 PM
Nov 2014

So obviously 60 days was too short. And since he didn't do it a third time, I guess 120 days was long enough.

 

alphafemale

(18,497 posts)
118. Just guessing he's a little late for a "Scared Straight" approach.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 10:16 PM
Nov 2014

Also a safe bet that he's been incarcerated before.

He's a hothead.

I can easily see this guy pulling a knife on someone.

 

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
95. Literally hundreds of suggestions over removing him from society and taking away his rights.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 09:32 AM
Nov 2014

Not that difficult of a thought exercise.

ZombieHorde

(29,047 posts)
81. I am not benefited in any way by him being incarcerated.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 02:19 AM
Nov 2014

I think his assets should have been confiscated and used to help repay his victims.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
86. The way that people benefit is that others may see the severe sentence he got,
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 02:42 AM
Nov 2014

and decide not to attempt to perpetrate similar scams, which would cause new victims to suffer losses.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
92. Easy for them to stash millions beyond reach, even if they are caught.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 08:24 AM
Nov 2014

It takes prison terms to really concentrate these people's minds.

 

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)
14. The judge was more than patient
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:33 PM
Nov 2014

with the antics. Freak got what he deserved. Unless the judge addresses you, keep quiet and let your lawyer do the talking.

 

NobodyHere

(2,810 posts)
15. The guy should sue
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:36 PM
Nov 2014

His 1st amendment rights were violated...


But in all serious he shouldn't get jail time for insulting a judge.

DrDan

(20,411 posts)
44. good luck with that . . . bet he would have a hard time finding someone to take that case
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 07:10 PM
Nov 2014

120 days seems appropriate

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
18. Fuck no
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:41 PM
Nov 2014

Judges aren't god or even my mom. Ad I swore in front of my mom all the time and don;t give a fuck what god thinks...

Not my grandma though.


The knife thing though, yeah that needs locking up. But nobody should be locked up for name-calling. Fuck you, judge.

 

Ykcutnek

(1,305 posts)
19. It's the law. Fair has nothing to do with it.
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:41 PM
Nov 2014
Contempt of court generally refers to conduct that defies, disrespects or insults the authority or dignity of a court. Often, contempt takes the form of actions that are seen as detrimental to the court's ability to administer justice.

Judges typically have much discretion in deciding whom to hold in contempt and the type of contempt. Those held in contempt can include parties to a proceeding, attorneys, witnesses, jurors, people in or around a proceeding, and officers or staff of the court itself.


http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/criminal-contempt-of-court.html#sthash.lE5UDGH9.dpuf

wandy

(3,539 posts)
22. I would say a judge deserves an amount of respect. Then...........
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:46 PM
Nov 2014

I would have to wonder what company runs that counties for profit prison.

Sad, isn't it.

wandy

(3,539 posts)
112. Oh. Does that mean they are allowed to or.........
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:40 PM
Nov 2014

does it mean that companies like Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) do not see enough profit in it. Yet.

former9thward

(31,805 posts)
113. It probably means counties have not found anybody willing to do it.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:44 PM
Nov 2014

County jails have a very transient population. Prisons have a pretty stable population. Jails, on a per-person basis, are probably very costly to operate. I don't have any figures, just a guess.

Iggo

(47,489 posts)
24. So was that 60 days for the knife and 120 days for being rude?
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:48 PM
Nov 2014

Or 60 days for the knife and another 60 days for being rude?

Or something else?

(I'm at work and I didn't watch the video.)

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
31. YEah that's ridiculous
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:53 PM
Nov 2014

and makes me respect the court less when I see dumb shit like that.

A couple hours I could see. Maybe even a day to cool off if the guy was belligerent and drunk and a danger and needed cooling off time but 120 days for an insult is abusing power in my opinion.

dilby

(2,273 posts)
28. He had his bond revoked so he swore
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:52 PM
Nov 2014

which the Judge ignored, then he called the Judge a cock sucker and got 60 days, then he proceeded to call more names and got another 60 days. Finally he listened to his lawyer and shut the fuck up.

lpbk2713

(42,696 posts)
32. Strange as it may seem a courtroom is not a democracy.
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 04:53 PM
Nov 2014



It's the judge's own little domain. And as long as he stays within certain guidelines
and doesn't get too extreme he can do whatever he wants whenever he wants.

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,272 posts)
42. A criminal defense attorney friend calls it "robe fever" when judges act like that..
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 06:51 PM
Nov 2014

I think the sentence is a bit extreme.

I've seen assaults and battery get less time.

But I'm not going to hold a candle light vigil for this dbag either.

chrisa

(4,524 posts)
36. Rule 1 in court: Shut the fuck up
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 05:19 PM
Nov 2014

It's not hard. Just shut the fuck up, and nothing bad will happen. Only an idiot would mouth off to a judge.

IADEMO2004

(5,538 posts)
38. If dumb ass had said that to the judge in a grocery store he walks.
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 06:05 PM
Nov 2014

Dumb ass said it in a court room, our court room, our laws, our judge. You can't go after someone with a knife and piss and moan when you called on it. We have decided going after people with a knife is unacceptable and have laws to prohibit that behavior and dumb ass needs a time-out.

 

bigwillq

(72,790 posts)
46. Good for the judge.
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 07:19 PM
Nov 2014

I don't think any jail time should be served for cursing, but some folks need to learn about respect and how to behave.
I wouldn't mind some serious volunteer hours, at a hospice, or hospital or the VA for this dude.

pipi_k

(21,020 posts)
49. Not sure
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 07:33 PM
Nov 2014
I wouldn't mind some serious volunteer hours, at a hospice, or hospital or the VA for this dude.



Not sure I would consider anything that would put him in the presence of vulnerable people, seeing as he has a bit of difficulty controlling himself.




 

bigwillq

(72,790 posts)
52. Maybe--maybe--it would get him to appreciate
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 07:53 PM
Nov 2014

his life and his freedom by being surrounded by folks in a less fortunate situation.

WillowTree

(5,325 posts)
50. In the judge's sandbox, ya gotta play by the judge's rules. Absolutely fair.
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 07:36 PM
Nov 2014

The kid's a punk. Even 120 days probably won't sink in that his language and behavior were inappropriate.

WillowTree

(5,325 posts)
72. Only if it takes place in a venue that you control.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 12:23 AM
Nov 2014

In the courtroom, the judge gets to have the final say about what is and isn't fair. And this guy was certainly old enough to know that. And c'mon! If this idiot didn't get the message when Hizhonner gave him the first 60 days, he deserves the additional 60 just for his monumental stupidity and/or arrogance.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
93. He got 60 days the first time he did it, then promptly did it again.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 08:25 AM
Nov 2014

So I don't know why you keep claiming that 2 weeks would have been appropriate.

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
56. The inability to shut the hell up in court shows a lack of impulse control that is dangerous
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 08:13 PM
Nov 2014

Then again I've seen a kid manage to get his 90 day suspended jail sentence for DUI sentence un-suspended because he could not shut up for the 10 minutes it took to process him into the alcohol harm reduction program. Not sitting through the program, mind you, just having the social worker (or whoever that was) sign him up for it.

Hippo_Tron

(25,453 posts)
61. Please explain to me what good this does for society to have him in jail for 4 months
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 11:43 PM
Nov 2014

It's a ludicrous overreaction and it would only be acceptable in the incarceration capital of the world.

A more appropriate response by the judge would be to ask him to leave the courtroom until he can behave. At maximum a NIGHT in jail to let him think it over.

WhiteAndNerdy

(365 posts)
91. A person shouldn't behave that way.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 07:40 AM
Nov 2014

But I don't think we should be locking *anyone* up unless they're a danger to society. We need to find better ways to deal with non-violent offenses than to put people in jail.

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
103. How hard is it not to call a judge a cock?
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:18 PM
Nov 2014

Seriously. Don't call the judge you are facing a cock. I didn't realize that was obscure doctrine.

RedCappedBandit

(5,514 posts)
104. The issue is the fairness of the punishment.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:20 PM
Nov 2014

"Don't break the law" isn't a response to the problem of mass incarceration, nor does it accomplish much here.

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
106. Contempt of court is not a question of law but of demeanor
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:23 PM
Nov 2014

The fact that he can't avoid calling the judge he is facing a cock indicates to me he has some serious impulse control problems, and also makes me more likely to believe the initial charge against him.

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
109. I don't see it as absurd.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:35 PM
Nov 2014

When a defendant is brought before the Court, he is guaranteed due process and a lot of rights. Notice, for example, that throughout the entire exchange the judge referred to him only as "sir", except one time when he called him "dude" after the first (unpunished) cursing.

In return, we ask those who have stabbed their fellow man not to call the judge representing our legal system a cock, at least not so the judge can hear them.

It's a strenuous burden, I know.

RedCappedBandit

(5,514 posts)
115. Your sarcasm aside, we disagree.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:50 PM
Nov 2014

Am I saying we shouldn't expect a modicum of respect in a court room? No. But sentences in this country are out of control, and this is an example of that.

"Guaranteed due process and a lot of rights." Yeah. Cool. Calling the guy "sir" is a farce that belies the truth of our poor justice system.

The fact that the judge represents our legal system, as you put it, doesn't really mean much to the people victimized by that system. And don't extrapolate from that statement that I believe he shouldn't be there in the first place for stabbing someone, because that's not my position. I'm speaking from a macro level perspective; this individual case isn't really the point.


Months in jail for words is absurd. Yep.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
110. Well he got 60 days for the first time he did it, then he promptly did it again.
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:38 PM
Nov 2014

So clearly 60 days was not enough. I guess 120 days was long enough because he did not then do it for a third time.

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
102. The judge was actually pretty cool for the first two times
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 03:15 PM
Nov 2014

"Yeah, man, I'm serious, you're not going anywhere. Next!" after the first time the dude cussed him out.

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