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There's yawning and there's yawning. Reading the article it sounds to me like the guy could have been particularly loud on purpose to register his, um, contempt for the court. I think you'd have to be there to pass full judgement.

I read the whole article. I'm sorry, but I just don't see how yawning ... even a loud yawn ... could have possibly merited a contempt of court citation.

Indeed, yawning is a natural reflex of the body over which humans have very little control. Many believe that it's caused by an excess of carbon dioxide and lack of oxygen in the blood -- the yawn-reflex is triggered by the brain stem in order to try and re-oxygenate the blood by hyper-inflating the lungs. Hence, to fine a person for yawning in court would be like trying to fine someone for hiccuping, or for having an asthma attack, or for having a parkinsonian tremor.

The really sad thing is that, by doing this the judge demonstrated his own contempt for the jurors. Usually judges are thankful for the time that potential jurors have given to the judicial system. They always give a nice little speech in which they thank those who have not been selected for service prior to releasing them. In this case it is clear that the judge has no such concern for his jury pool ... he was offended by the juror's uncontrollable reflex. Well, too bad. What that juror did didn't merit a $1000 fine ... and I don't care that it was reduced to $100. It's not as if the juror was on trail in a criminal case here.

I read the whole article. I'm sorry, but I just don't see how yawning ... even a loud yawn ... could have possibly merited a contempt of court citation

What if it was intentional? Or at least, it was exaggerated on purpose to make the point? Would you have considered it contemptible if the guy has just blurted out, "This is BORING."?

Indeed, yawning is a natural reflex of the body over which humans have very little control.... Hence, to fine a person for yawning in court would be like trying to fine someone for hiccuping, or for having an asthma attack, or for having a parkinsonian tremor.

Horse manure. You have PLENTY of control over how your yawn progresses. Can you stop it? Not necessarily. But can you keep it relatively quiet? Of course. Can you cover your mouth with your hand? Absolutely. Can you make it loud on purpose? Absolutely. Can you open your mouth even wider and sway your head to exaggerate the motion? You bet.

I mean, please, if you haven't faked or exaggerated a yawn to make a point then you haven't lived :)