Man's Comment On Check Could Land Him In Jail

KIRO 7 TV ^ | Jun. 27, 2006 | Associated Press

[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.

[RetiredArmy]

Some judges are too thin skinned for the job. I'd say this judge is a piece of sh@t. Wanna bring me judgy boy?

He didn't write the check directly for a judge did he? He most likely sent it to some BS clerk at the traffic court, who got it and whined and gave it to some supervisor, who had this happen. I doubt a judge saw it until the whining began.

[andy58-in-nh]

On parking tickets, I've written: "To: Department of Revenue Enhancement." So far I've been able to resist the temptation to add "BS" in there somewhere. Be warned though, if you ever have occasion to park in downtown Concord, NH, the meter attendants are numerous and merciless. The second your time's up, they'll decend on your car like a red-tailed hawk on a crippled squirrel.

[GovernmentShrinker]

I'll side with the ACLU on this one. And even if the tasteless footnote wasn't protected by the First Amendment, if this court doesn't have anything better to do with its time, it should be shut down.

[beezdotcom]

I worked Law Enforcement for a lot of years. I was never a big ticket writer, but it is part of the job. Many a time the person on the receiving end would make a smart ass comment or mumble curses. I was always taught to let it go. They are venting anger.

That's wise advice - and it can save some embarrassment, too.

I have a friend who once cut through an empty dirt corner lot to get around traffic at an intersection. When a cop pulled him over for it, my friend stupidly made a comment about it being "the end of the month". The cop reacted angrily, and wrote my friend a ticket for reckless driving.

However, when it went to court, the judge got so angry at the cop (for the obviously trumped-up citation) that he ended up reducing my friend's ticket to a mere $10 trespassing charge - no moving violation. The only reason he didn't throw it out altogether is my friend admitted that he had said something to provoke the officer.

[Jim Verdolini]

"payment is an admission of guilt"

No, payment is an admission of subserience. It acknowledges the superiority of government and taxation of the individual.

[beezdotcom]

'nolo contendre' - in essence, "no contest"

[Filo]

I'd love to be charged like this. My counter suit would be epic! :)

I've done worse. . .

[gondramB]

>>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.<<


I agree with the ACLU on this one. The guy was rude and certainly not a hero but within his rights.

[tobyhill]

A check is a promissory note but is always the issuers property, that's why checks get returned to the issuer. If a judge doesn't want to take the promise for the money then that's all a judge can do.

[beezdotcom]

Eh, I can't spell, it's Nolo Contendere

[CindyDawg]

Uh huh. Or an English ..., "whatever" :')

[wolfcreek]

Writing stuff in the memo space that others don't have the balls to write. If he wins, We should all do it.

[OB1kNOb]

Note to self: Better stop writing "For Sexual Favors Provided" in the memo field of all my checks.

[mysterio]

I sent a check with expletives on it once for a speeding ticket when I was like 20 or so. They didn't come after me. It's a right of passage.

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[stainlessbanner]

If the court has a problem with his check, they shouldn't cash it.

[beezdotcom]

Writing stuff in the memo space that others don't have the balls to write. If he wins, We should all do it.

Better yet, everyone should have one SPECIAL book of checks with that pre-printed in the memo line, for special occasions...

[Zavien Doombringer]

A check is a promissory note but is always the issuers property, that's why checks get returned to the issuer. If a judge doesn't want to take the promise for the money then that's all a judge can do.

So is the dollar bill...

[ishabibble]

On a lighter note, when the camera cops were first used, a guy in AZ got a ticket in the mail along with a photograph of his car speeding through a red light. The guy mailed the police a photo of two twenty dollar bills ($40 fine). The cops mailed him back a photo of a pair of handcuffs. He paid up!

When I read this story, the first word that came to mind was "tinpot". The judge, the clerks, the civil parasites in general. I hope this man gets out of this trumped up trouble.

[sheana]

See post #17. I would say them cashing it is an admission of guilt.