Charge dropped against man accused of writing obscenities on check

MLive.com ^ | 1/24/03 1:16 PM | AP

[Nachum]

HOWELL, Mich. (AP) -- A charge against a man accused of scrawling obscenities on a check to pay a traffic ticket has been dropped after a judge said he didn't want to commit any more of the court's resources to the case.

District Judge John Pikkarainen dismissed the contempt of court charge against Eric Wilmoth on Thursday.

"I'm definitely relieved and very happy," Wilmoth told The Ann Arbor News. "I was pleasantly surprised by the judge's decision."

In his opinion dismissing the charges, Pikkarainen wrote, "If the words written by the respondent were uttered in a courtroom setting before a judge, even the respondent's counsel acknowledges, that would clearly constitute contemptuous conduct."

Wilmoth had earlier written a letter of apology to the court, which was accepted by Pikkarainen on behalf of the court staff.

Wilmoth, 26, of Howell, was ticketed in the fall after accidentally backing into another car. He paid the fine with a check and wrote two vulgar words on the memo line, prompting Pikkarainen to charge him with contempt in October for "improper use of language."

"It is my understanding that the language that I used on that check may have offended you. For this I am deeply sorry, and genuinely remorseful," Wilmoth said in the letter filed with the court last week. "I did not intend to trouble any of the court staff with my choice of language."

[Nachum]

Recently got a traffic ticket and thought about writing a few "choice words" on the check as it was paid.

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[FReepaholic]

So much for Freedom of Speech.

[FreePaul]

If the words written by the respondent were uttered in a courtroom...

But they weren't. So why bring it up. If...anything. The Judge probably figured he might get shot down if a conviction were appealed.

[Jonathon Spectre]

The last time I got a ticket (as part of a truly huge operation in Tallahassee, the TPD was pulling over about every third car for "speeding", they had literally over 30 at one time in a big parking lot with 10-15 officers wandering around handing out fines) I wrote, "I hope you all F**KING CHOKE ON THIS" on the "For" line of the check and the outside of the envelope.

Didn't get in any trouble.

[SamAdams76]

This guy can write me all the obscenity-laced checks he wants. I'll be most happy to cash them.

[upchuck]

When I pay my state and federal taxes I make the checks out to "KY Bandits" and "US Bandits" respectively. On the memo line I write "Non-voluntary payment."

[rolling_stone]

I describe payments I depise in the memo line with the simple notation..GRAFT...

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Two words on the check? let me guess "God Bless?"
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!

[CPOSharky]

Reminds me of a story about a friend who was in court for a traffic violation.

Judge: That will be $50.00.

Friend: But..

Judge: Contempt of court, another $50.00.

Friend pulls out his check book.

Judge (relenting slightly): That's OK, you can pay the clerk.

Friend: I was just checking to see if I had enough money for two more words.

(He swears it is true)