Posted on 06/27/2006 11:50:03 AM PDT by beezdotcom
BERKLEY, Mich. -- The parking fine was $10. But the comment Robert Militzer added to the check could land him in jail for 30 days.
The computer programmer from Allen Park got the ticket May 29. When Militzer wrote the check to Berkley District Court, he scribbled on the memo line, "BULL (expletive) MONEY GRAB."
That got Militzer an in-person court appearance -- on a contempt of court charge. He's scheduled to go before a judge Wednesday, accompanied by an American Civil Liberties Union attorney who will argue Militzer's remark is protected by the First Amendment.
(Excerpt) Read more at kirotv.com ...
never heard a peep from them.
In any sufficiently mature society, "civil servant" is semantically equivalent to "civil master." -- Robert A. Heinlein.
Isn't that freedom of speech? I can't believe they'd put forth the time and effort to charge him with contempt. Gutsy guy....I like him!
He is just telling it like it is.
He has a First Amendment right to do so.
If the check is good the State has no complaint.
Write me a good one and I could care less what you put in the remarks.
I'm looking at my check. It says "for__________________" If he had put speeding, could that have been used as an admission of guilt?"
Thin-skinned gov't workers wielding their power.
I'm looking at my check. It says "for__________________" If he had put speeding, could that have been used as an admission of guilt?"
I kinda' think there is a free speech argument that could be made about that memo line.
Oh how I miss the good old United States of America where we were free.
payment is an admission of guilt.
No it isn't...
It's freedom of the press
I don't see why this could be considered a crime. Personally, I think that the guy is a sign of the times--an example of rudeness overtaking our society. On the other hand, the courts really need to keep their eye on the ball. They've got a lot of problems to deal with that are more significant than this one, and let's face it, they've earned the level of disrespect they've gotten.
"services rendered"
I wonder if they would have gone after him had he not used the S-Bomb.
I send in my IRS check every year with a memo on the bottom that says..."f*cking thieves!"
They always cash it. ;)
Back in the good old United States, using profane or obscene language in public got you jail time.
If he had the words "Bull $hit Money Grab" printed on all his checks would he still be in trouble?
"Tell me, your honor, what would be a proper method to express for this court the contempt it so richly deserves?"
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