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 ...
I think it's past time for some "harsh" sentences. I had occasion to go before a judge about 12 years ago. The person ahead of me P.O.ed the judge so bad that he turned red in the face. I felt like the judge took out part of that anger on me and that my punishment was harsher as a result. But I accepted it and have never complained because it was MY SUPID ACTIONS that put me there in the first place.
This is the true test of ones convictions.
"It's sickening to see this slavish obeisance to authority figures that some people on this thread apparently have."
It's good for the orangelobster to see that there are some young people on here that have more sense than the judge. You should go to law school and replace this jerk on the bench. He obviously does not respect the law and simply prosecutes people according to his personal whims. The judge must have personal issues with the young whippersnappers.
Exactly! As one adult to another, I wish more people would learn self discipline and be able to know when they're in life and death environments --such as court rooms or operating tables.
Imagine being under the knife and your doctor has to stop and tell some aid to turn off the damn phone so he can concentrate!
I think you all are missing the point.
21 days in jail for a cell phone ringing?!!? What is next, death sentence for producing second hand smoke?
At best, the judge should have introduced his heel to that girls cell phone. 21 days in jail? What country are we talking about here?
I'll defend to the death your right to be wrong. Throw the judge in jail, are you series? What for?
You're making excuses for the criminal, and want the judge punished, I'm sure glad you're not in charge, no offense.
Since it's being investigated, we'll just have to see what happens. The judge is NOT automatically a jerk until proven one.
The one run by Lily Tomlin ("Is this the party to whom I'm speaking?")
Maybe he just has a problem with cell phones. If she went to law school and her phone rang during her bar exam I'm sure it wouldn't have gone well for her. What about the one post mentioning that if a cell phone rang during the exam, the cell phone owner would be ejected from the exam and be given a zero? Is that too harsh? Relatively speaking, isn't being before a judge a little more serious than taking an exam?
This judge needs to get a grip! Its a noisy world out here for all of us. Maybe he should move to the country.
I saw a man in a movie theater prepare to jump over several rows of seats to attack a phone that rang once. That guy needs to be sedated.
Well yes, I have a major problem with authority Fred.
They release illegal aliens routinely, as our so-called leaders and law enforcement stand winking and nodding as our country is invaded by *millions* of illegal aliens, causing epic fraud and crime, but this arrogant tax paid judge sentences a citizens to 21 days in jail because they didn't turn off a cell phone?
Maybe the teenager will get their brains kick in in jail, and really make this power drunk judge feel good. You can all stand back and applaud, saying she deserved it.
Nope, "Contempt of court" was the charge after being fully warned. She probable was responsible for the first ringing too (though the article never identifies the first offender). She was playing with her phone in court also.
I have also been to face a judge (for doing 84 mph in a 45 mph zone). I saw how some of these people behaved, like it was a joke. Some things are not jokes, including making light of an judge's order to turn off your cell phone.
Many cell phones have terrible user interfaces. It's a result of trying to cram as many features as possible in a phone as small as possible.
What does that mean, MinuteGal? No debate for you because someone has a different opinion.
That's funny... a jail sentence for a cell phone ringing is an abuse of power. the judge is clearly a jerk.
I agree with orangelobster, the judge is a to extreme with contempt charges.
Here is good old DC a teenage car thief whom the police caught gets out of the court room without any jail time.
This teenage girl gets 21 days in jail for her cellphone ringing and she probably received probation for the drug charges.
The judge is a jerk!
"Maybe he just has a problem with cell phones."
exactly. It's his personal peeve. He's supposed to be representing the people of his state, not himself and his personal whims. The guy is a loose cannon.
I'd bet she knows how to put it on vibrate. Maybe this teen will take a good look in the mirror and straighten up.
For some on this thread that doesn't seem to be relevant, they just want to jail the judge, yea right.
If we're going to put judges in jail, could we start with the 9th Circus Court of Appeals PLEASE.
Look, I don't know the girl's history, what kind of court room behavior she was showing, or how seriously she was taking her situation. For what it's worth, I agree that 21 days in jail sounds a little harsh, but not knowing the mitigating circumstances, I'm willing to give the judge the benefit of the doubt over a 17 y.o. facing drug charges.
I do know from personal experience that when dealing with authority figures, it's best to be a bit humble.
why? she could have been thrown in court for talking also or for doing any number of things to disrupt the proceedings. I imagine if someone were to simply stand up in court and refuse to sit down they would be thrown out and if they didn't obey put in jail. The key is there must be discipline in court proceedings.
On the other hand, when the lights aren't shining, it usually means the device is off. She would have been better off leaving the cell outside the courtroom so she could better concentrate on the business at hand.
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