Posted on 11/20/2004 10:02:03 AM PST by 4.1O dana super trac pak
A ringing cell phone landed a 17-year-old Patchogue girl facing drug charges in a jail cell this week after an angry district court judge sentenced her to 21 days for contempt.
Mariela Acevedo of 21 Hammond St. incurred the wrath of District Court Judge Salvatore Alamia on Tuesday. As she awaited her hearing, an electronic device went off in Alamia's Central Islip courtroom and he warned everyone to shut off all cell phones and pagers or face contempt charges.
"If you don't know how to shut it off, go outside and introduce it to the heel of your shoe, he said according to a transcript.
When Acevedo's phone subsequently sounded, Alamia called the teenager forward and asked, "Did you think I was playing with you?"
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
In a courtroom, you do what the judge says - or face the consequences.
This doesn't make him a jerk, The judge is responsible for maintaining order in his court room. When he says "shut up" your best bet is to shut up. When he says to turn off that cell phone, your best bet is to do just that.. Contempt of court was invented to help the judge maintain order in his court because there are always brats like the girl in the article, and people who insist the brat is never responsible for his or her actions.
Bull sh*t.
When Acevedo's phone subsequently sounded, Alamia called the teenager forward and asked, "Did you think I was playing with you?"
She responded, "No. I thought I had turned it off."
She clearly didn't refuse.
You know how many times I have shut off a cell phone and it either came right back on and I accidently failed to fully depress the button? This GD arrogent tax paid judge is an AH who should not be where they are. This is down right scary sh*t.
The judge is the one who ought to be thrown in jail.
heh heh! Since some are calling Judge Alamia a jerk, does that mean the judge in your link is a "jerk-off"??!
The sentence was for contempt of court. She failed to comply with the judge's order.
Sounds like you and orangelobster had a previous run-in with a judge.
Folks have been thrown in jail for CoC before, often for stuff a lot less serious than cell phones going off.
After an exhaustive study of the finer points of your argument, and after wrangling with the complexeties and nuances of your position, I find it not compelling.
My rebuttal? "So's yer old man. PHFZZZZT>"
"This is down right scary sh*t. "
What's just as scary is that people are defending this guy. If I was convicted for everytime I forgot to turn off the cell ringer I would have a lengthy criminal record by now.
Ping
Baliff should have simply taken the cell phone away. Problem solved and the punishment would fit the crime.
I imagine if this judge was caught with drugs and had to face another judge, he would heed the warning to turn off his cell phone in that judge's presence. So yes, if this judge did the same thing in another judges courtroom he would deserve the same punishment, otherwise I fully disagree with your position.
EXACTLY. Some of the most arrogant people I have ever met were tax paid judges.
Gee, if you're going to get 21 days for contempt, shouldn't you have had the opportunity to do something "special" and willful to merit it, such as mooning the judge, calling him a vile name, or worse? IMHO the sentence is excessive, and the judge suffers from poor judgement (insert mandatory concern over absolute power corrupting absolutely, blah blah blah, here).
You know how many times I have shut off a cell phone and it either came right back on and I accidently failed to fully depress the button?
Maybe you need to take the Judge's advice next time.
"Sounds like you and orangelobster had a previous run-in with a judge."
not yet, but if forgetting to turn off my cell ringer makes me a criminal, yes, I'm guilty. Tell me which ring of Dante's inferno are cellphone ringer abusers sent to.
You're right the judge is a cantankerous old jerk, whose arrogance is only exceeded by the size of his head band. A misdemeanor offence gets the max of 45 days? Nice going, her next possession arrest will no doubt be a felony. Happy Holidays from the government. If they aren't taking it out of your pocket, their shoving it up your a$$, IMHO.
I suggest you leave your cell phone at home the next time you're in a courtroom.
Talking is not allowed in court. Reading books and newspapers is not allowed in court. Cell phones and pagers are not to be used in court. If you feel compelled to do any of these prohibited activities, step into the hall.
If I'm going to get 21 days for BS, I'll punch the judge in the mouth and get my 'time's worth".
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