John / Billybob
I might just do that. Sounds interesting.
Congressman, thanks. I'll raise your challenge one notch, using public record information of course....
Crimes should be reported as follows:
Alexander Hamilton, 34, of 2333 Xerxes Way, Podunk, Anystate, whose parents invite the general public to assist them in the holding to accountability their rapscallion of an overgrown boy who's killing his mother just like Cindy Sheehan is killing hers....
/facetiousness OFF
Oh yeah, great article =)
Were there any bothers and sisters or first cousins there to get married?
Whatever brought in money to the court.
"You might be a redneck if you go to court and you and your lawyer are the only ones wearing ties."
I agree with this challenge 110%. Several times while going to school, I had to attend court as part of outside assignments for business law classes. A most interesting time and very revealing what's going on with some of your fellow citizens. I think that every teenager ought to have to spend a day observing this process--many lessons to be learned. Another "interesting" tour is of the local jail or lock-up facility--it reinforced a "deterrence" lesson with me (as a responsible adult).
Intriguing. I've surved on a criminal jury and that was a disturbing experience. I'm not surprised at the outcome of the celebrity trials here in California. Partly, I'm surprised any *justice* is actually handed out.
For a first hand glimpse at yhe inner workings of the asylum..visit Landlord-Tenant court in NYC..
the average goob around here (western NY)doesnt have a suit because he's too damned strapped trying to put hamburger helper on the plate and pay for the outrageous tax burden.
Its also a sign of respect for the court
I lost that years ago
I will say though - I was absolutely amazed on having been called to a jury pool once, that I was about the only juror who hadnt been pinched for DUI/DWI (I dont drink)
Many years ago, I was arrested in Fairbanks, AK,, for buying a resident fishing license when I was in fact a non-resident. In my defense, I was 10 days short of being a resident (one year), and I decided to go to court and tell the judge. Yes, they are that serious about their fishing laws in Alaska.
I got there early, front row seat, and what a circus it was.
Fairbanks, during the pipeline boom was a small town gone wild. There were shooting in the streets, prostitutes galore, and general lawlessness. It was a modern version of Dodge City in the 1870’s.
The crowd gathered. There were domestics, of course, check kiters, probation breakers, and me, your hunting and fishing scofflaw. Probably 100-150 people waiting in the courtroom for the judge.
Then they brought in the jail population, all in handcuffs 15-20 of them.
I remember 2 prostitutes, both black, handcuffed together. They were smiling, and joking, looking over each person in the audience, blowing kisses to us.
Another guy was obviously a hard core criminal. They seated him in the jury box and handcuffed him to a iron rail. He propped his feet up on the rail.
The bailiff came in and gave us all copies of instructions on how the court was going to proceed that morning. The bailiff said they were sheets used to protect our rights. The hard core criminal said “stick my rights up your ass”, and threw the papers on the ground.
HERE COM DA JUDGE
All rise (Mr. Hardcore couldn’t be bothered, but the rest of us did) and the judge hammered us into session.
He noticed 3 lawyers, 2 Highway Patrolman and a Fish and Game officer sitting at a table and asked why they were there. One of the lawyers said “THE MITCHELL CASE, YOUR HONOR”.
Holy crap, that is ME!!! 3 lawyers and 3 police men against me, and all I want to do is tell the judge I was 10 days shy of being a resident when I bought my license.
The judge asked me to stand, read me my rights and asked me how I wanted to plead.
I looked at the table full of legal people, 3 lawyers, and 3 cops, and decided that “innocent” wasn’t going to be an option. I said “nolo contendra” (meaning I’m guilty, but perhaps I’m not, I’m not going to fight it, however, but I want to tell you my side of the story) (man, Latin is descriptive).
Enough about my case, small potatoes, I got 4 months of probation on condition of good behavior and obeying all the fishing laws.
The hardcore criminal gave me a thumbs up, applauded; and the 2 prostitutes winked at me and tried to give me their business cards.
I stayed and watched the proceedings of the others.
One young man had been arrested at 4 am for Driving Under the Influence. He was one of the jail contingent. Here he was at 8 am, probably still drunk, pleading guilty. The judge gave him one year probation, suspended his driving privileges after dark (Fairbanks, in the summer, has sunlight 24 hours a day) and sent him on his way.
Another crook, a check kilter, was fined $100, and she asked if the clerk could take a check.
Lots of restraining orders were imposed on guys for the domestic violence thing.
The really bad guy, didn’t bother to stand, and the judge let him sit, just referring him to jail, and another court date.
I spent the morning in the court, and it really was an eye opener. I highly recommend a visit to your local court for a mornings entertainment.
I watched my local court one day. I know I don't want to be there for any other reason.
They city hired a lawyer from Ft. Worth to come in once a month and be the judge. He was also doing this in some other small towns. The Texas State Constitution forbids anyone to be a judge in more than one place.
After that, there was an Amendment on the state ballots seeking to okay this practice and it failed. They still do it.
Used to go to court a lot over deadbeats, vandals and thieves while I was a property owner and manager in Massachusetts.
I have no more respect for the courts than they have respect for the law.
Would never go back for any reason.
One of my favorite criminal tricks to witness is when doofus comes to court for sentencing and a deputy will pat down said doofus looking for weapons, the deputy finds a cigarette pack, looks inside and finds a joint or two.
Depends on the shirt. I wear Hawaiian shirts, and usually those aren't tucked in.
Bump.
As a Detective I am in court all the time. I am appalled at how people show up for both Justice and District court. Sometimes even the cops astound me with the casual nature of their dress. I always wear a tie to court. Now I may leave the jacket behind during summer especially when we are over 100 degrees but I always wear a tie. I know a lot of cops who think dressing for court is a polo shirt. I once screamed a rookie who showed up to Justice Court looking like a skater....just more bad signs of the general slippage in society. Thanks Billybob, nice post...
Great post, Congressman.