Fine Larry Fine.
Posted on 04/20/2005 8:54:40 AM PDT by Bigfitz
LOS ANGELES -- A juror was cited for contempt and fined $1,000 by a judge for yawning loudly while awaiting questioning in an attempted murder trial. The fine later was reduced to $100.
The yawn came after the man, identified as Juror No. 2386 in an April 1 court transcript, had been sitting in a courtroom for two days as part of jury selection.
"You yawned rather audibly there. As a matter of fact, it was to the point that it was contemptuous," Superior Court Judge Craig Veals said.
"I'm sorry, but I'm really bored," the juror said.
"I'm sorry?" the judge responded.
When the juror repeated his statement, he was admonished by the judge for having a "lousy" attitude.
"Your boredom just cost you $1,000 I'm finding you in contempt," Veals said. "Are you quite so bored now?"
The judge later called the yawn disruptive.
"I can't run a court when I have someone behaving the way you did," Veals said.
The juror paid the fine after it was reduced to $100. Ultimately, he was questioned but not selected for the trial.
fine
The teacher made me write 'I will not yawn like a lion' 100 times and turn it in. And then she laughed when I did turn it in, as she'd forgotten she'd given me the punishment.
Absolutely no point to the story, just thought I'd share it with the world.
Fine people who say 'fine'.
I yawn in your general direction
Somewhere.
Note to self: File under things never to say to a judge.
Fine Larry Fine.
Trial Lawyer, Inc. and the Judicial Tyrants torture and mistreat the enslaved Jury Pool like animals. The corrupt American lawyer industry urinates on juries every day.
So now we know what happens if we yawn in court, what about farting in court?
So now we know what happens if we yawn in court, what about farting in court?
This is one of those instances where reading the story does not provide enough information. I've known plenty of people who could say "I'm bored" completely innocently, yet I've known others who would say it and be incredibly snide and patronizing. It's the tone of voice that matters here, and the story does not capture that.
I think I'll head for that exit door over there, your on her.
I think the current juror system is ridiculous. the constitution did not set it up this way so it can be changed easily.
I suggest we let people volunteer or apply to be jurors. We could even offer a living wage for a 3 or 6 month term of service.
Then out of this pool you are selected randomly for a trial.
I think the present system where they have jury 'selection' is utterly ridiculous and a waste of court time. AND I think it goes AGAINST the constitution, as people are 'selected' for a jury based on whether you believe they will form a bias in your favor- the opposite of what is intended by the constitution.
I am also in favor of 'sentence multiplier rule' whenever you are arrested and convicted of ANYTHING your sentece will be the minimum for that crime TIMES the number of times you have been convicted. (I think this is better then '3 strikes' where you can go to jail for life even if the third crime is only minor)
Please, your lordship, spare us from your awesome wrath!
:)
really... I would pay for that..
what law did he break?
IMO the juror was right - faced with the choice of waxing my car on a sunny day or sitting in court - Id have said the same thing
Who does actually Want to be there? - we have lives and children and jobs - yet this is dictated to us - personal lives be damned
Ya know what? I am 47 years old and have NEVER been called for jury duty. Not once.
Can't imagine why. (Except that I believe in jury nullification)
The funny thing about the word yawn. If you say it out loud it makes you yawn.
You forgot to post his picture.
I agree with the judge. This punk deserved it for his disruption. The punk has an attitude problem, where if things are not going his way and he gets bored, then he makes sure everyone around him knows about it. I remember someone who would do the same thing as this jerk, yawn as loud as he could to get attention. The jerk got what he deserved. Hooray for this judge!
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