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 ...
I went to traffic court many years ago and saw something I had never seen. Some fella was complaining to the judge about his speeding ticket and the judge told him the police never lie. He then asked if the judge knew the cop was sleeping with the judge's wife, and of course the judge said no. So the guy asked the cop if he was and the cop said "No way!" in a really nasty way. The man then gave the judge some pictures, and the case was dismissed. Needless to say, that judge was really upset.My ticket was dismissed 5 seconds after that by the judge as the same cop had written it. I laughed all the way home that day.
"Your Honor, my contempt is immeasurable. Does that mean you get all of my money?"
Sometimes it's just better to keep your big mouth shut. Years ago, a guy I knew was paying a speeding ticket and made a reference to a "kangaroo court". He spent the weekend in jail, even though he was right. I got a ticket in that same speed trap, and a few days later, the same cop and court nailed Alexander Solzenitsyn, who was passing through on a book tour. He made some remark about the cops being the same as in the USSR, but instead of throwing him in the jug, they printed the story in the paper.
I disagree.
I have been corrected many times. :)
I've been tempted to send a $5 check to Hillary Clinton's campaign with "For sexual favors" on the comment line. Not sure of the legality of it but it would sure make a great keepsake if she cashed it.
"Tell me, your honor, what would be a proper method to express for this court the contempt it so richly deserves?"
That is great. I love it.
if I recall, I think Michigan does have some moldy statute on the books about "public use of profanity". Will be fun to watch them try to enforce it.
His attitude is not un-typical...while living there I found most Michiganders to have a refreshingly blunt and in-your-face attitude. I'm kind of surprised this is the ONLY check that is coming back this way!
Sounds like an opportunity for some novelty check-printer to bring out a line of "Bull---- Money Grab" checks!
Personally, if I were the one working for the court who had to process that check, I'd send the guy $10 just for being funny...and truthful!
Send that story to Reader's Digest - you should get paid.
Not if the choice is "pay or go to jail." My memo line would have been: "Extortion payment to stay out of jail" or words to that effect.
As to the issue here, though the guy was a bit vulgar, that's his right. This is just a check, and as long as the funds were good the clerk/court shouldn't have a thing to say, officially. This is completely an issue of freedom of the press (since it was in writing); wonder of wonders, the ACLU actually got one right.
Listen to yourself. Been there, done that, got the whoppin' huge fine...
He should have burned a flag, no fine or problem there...
I'm surprised it even got read. When I was in my early 20s I signed my check to the utility company Donald Duck on a dare from a friend. I continued to sign the checks to the utility company the same for over two years and not one of them got returned.
That's not really accurate. To enjoy "freedom of the press" a person must be considered part of the media. A person who writes a letter to the government is not protected by Freedom of the Press but by Freedom of Speech.
Freedom of speech also is not limited to vocal statements - it also can include writings and actions.
Seems to me the memo line is like a note to self to remind the check writer what the check was for. It has no bearing on the receiver of the check.
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