Man charged with contempt for obscene message on check

Daily Press and Argus ^ | 12-15-02 | Jon Zemke

[Dan from Michigan]

I don't get how this could be contempt of court for writing "BS F'ing ticket" on a check that doesn't even reach the judges desk.

I'll give you a BS F'ing ticket though that they need to suck on. That would be getting a ticket after getting rear ended. That's the East Lansing PD(Specifically Officer MARTIN) for you.

[Republic of Texas]

Maybe I should stop writing "Payment to Satan" on my IRS payment.

[LasVegasMac]

I take it Officer Martin is not on your Christmas card list?

LVM

[Mulder]

Bulls- - - F- - - - - - ticket

Sounds like the truth for about 90% of traffic tickets which are issued.

"Traffic enforcement" is nothing more than "revenue enhancement" for the corrupt welfare state.

[Dan from Michigan]

Nope, and neither is Judge David Jordon for siding with Officer Martin. Too bad I can't vote against Jordon.

[lmr]

One time I wrote in the pay to the order line: "Jerk of the District Court" hehe. No kidding.

[verity]

There should be such a thing as contempt of common sense. The offender is a maroon. ;~)

[Phaedrus]

I wrote a very strong (not obscene) letter to the court on a recent traffic ticket and wrote "Highway Robbery" on the check. If the judge doesn't like it and calls me in, I will repeat what was written (and probably be cited for contempt -- legitimate: I AM contemptuous).

[Dog Gone]

He'll get a reprimand, which he deserves. Anything more would be a little too totalitarian for my taste.

[JCG]

Six days later Pikkarainen signed an order to hold Wilmoth in contempt for "Improper use of language," according to court records.

"Improper use of language?" This bozo judge is just making stuff up.

America's Fifth Column ... watch Steve Emerson/PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
New Link: Download 8 Mb zip file here (60 minute video)

Who is Steve Emerson?

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

There's a high probability that the ticket is bogus. The vast majority of traffic tickets issued have nothing to do with your personal safety, it's mostly about hitting you on a technicality so that the state can collect a tax from you.

[Revolting cat!]

His Judicial Worship ought to remember the Swiss bankers' motto: 'Pecunia non olet'!

[Larry Lucido]

He should beat the contempt rap. That said, the guy that got backed into probably (correctly) thinks this dude is a b------- f------ driver, and a b------- f------- whiner.

[Blood of Tyrants]

BS F'ing judge thinks that he can do that.

[BenLurkin]

Yes, the notorious "avert your eyes" case>
The U.S. Supreme court actually ruled that Americans must "avert their eyes" when someone prints an obscenity on their clothes.

[RGSpincich]

Had the author of the check confined his remarks to the validity of the ticket he would have been better off. Requiring personal service from an officer of the court is what created the furor, IMO.

[BenLurkin]

'Money has no eyes'?

[AnAmericanMother]

There's good authority in England, too: The Negotiable Cow

Mr Haddock . . . was leading a large white cow of malevolent aspect. On the back and sides of the cow were clearly stencilled in red ink the following words:

TO THE LONDON AND LITERARY BANK, Ltd:

Pay the Collector of Taxes, who is no gentleman, or Order, the sum of fifty-seven pounds (and may he rot!) L 57/10/0
ALBERT HADDOCK

Mr Haddock conducted the cow into the Collector’s office, tendered it to the Collector in payment of income tax and demanded a receipt.

(At least you can say that the Collector of Taxes is "no gentleman" and express a wish that he may rot.)

[Numbers Guy]

That would be getting a ticket after getting rear ended. That's the East Lansing PD(Specifically Officer MARTIN) for you.

Many in the ELPD are pretty notorious for their behavior. There are some good cops there, but more than enough bad ones.

The guy's mistake was going before the magistrate. You think "hey, I can argue the case on my own and not pay a lawyer, and I retain my right to appeal". Problem is, the magistrate is usually tighter with the cops than are the judges (one I once dealt with was an ex-small town police chief who deliberately misread the law to find me "guilty").