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 ...
Which laws are we able to ignore?
Are there any? If not, why are our cities and states over run with people that are here ILLEGALLY?
Why are they allowed to be here, yet citizens have to abide by the letter of the law?
Which laws can we ignore?
Yes, he did give her jailtime for the drug charge. And had he limited his decision to those original 45 days - then that would have been proper.
But then he slapped on 21 days that was fueled by his own own arrogance, letting his personal peeves and general anal-retentiveness play a role in his decision-making.
Irresponsible and unwarranted. Pure and simple.
"You speak as though you know Judge Alamia personally. Do you?"
not yet, at least until the cellphone police catch me. If I knew judge alamia personally he certainly would be no friend of mine.
That was intended as humor
What's your excuse for NOT READING the article your making ignorant comments about?
Since when is authority perfect? Since when has no on equestioned authority? Why is it that some of you are giving him the benifit of the doubt. We don't know the exact circumstances, but we can guess. The girl very likely was trying to be disrespectful to the judge, but three weeks. I would like to send some of you to jail for three weeks, and then we'll see if you still think that wasn't a harsh sentence.
Are there any?
If not, why are our cities and states over run with people that are here ILLEGALLY? And we are forced to pay for this to the tune of BILLIONS of tax dollars.
Why can't anyone answer this?
I mostly despise authority.
But this story reminds me of the time I was in court for an expired inspection sticker.
Being a young orphaned teen and 1st time driver I honestly didnt know you had to renew the sticker.
After arguing with the judge a minute he told me to just STHU or go to jail.
It doesnt take an Einstein to realize on his turf you had better do as he says.
Even though he was too harsh and probably punished this girl for the previous dozen whos cell phones rang in his court, it is his court room and thats life.
21 days is excessive.
The truly insightful responses by jerks like O.L.
I wish there was perfect justice, but there isn't. However, in this case, the girl was in control of what happened to her. I don't blame the judge for acting like a judge, but I do blame the girl for not following the judge's order. Her choice.
Yep, I think that one night would be perfectly acceptable. Maybe even two. A week would be rather over doing it, but twenty one days?
Only the ones we don't get caught breaking.
BTW the "illegal alien thread" is down the block.
Hey Joe. How old are you?
I read the article.
What I meant was that giving her 21 days for a cell phone going off isn't a way to "teach someone to straighten up their life." She was in court, facing a drug charge.
The punishment she recieved should have been solely limited to the verdict (45 days) the judge rendered on that said drug charge. The additional 21 days was out of context of the crime itself.
That clear enough for you?
Irresponsible and unwarranted. Pure and simple
Until you learn to read we have a "failure to communicate".
HINT go to a dictionary and look up the work CONCURRENT
"Ya know what I really like about FR?
The truly insightful responses by jerks like O.L."
thank you. In certain company I'm proud to be a jerk.
Why is that? Most courtrooms have signs at the entrance telling people to turn off their pagers and cell phones. One went off, and the judge gave a warning for everyone to follow (what were probably) the posted rules for the court room. When her phone started ringing AFTER the judge gave a warning, she WAS in contemp of court.
Mark
Wrong. Any disruption of the courtroom can be construed as contempt of court. I knew a legal secretary who was dressed properly. On the rare occasions there was need to take documents to the attorney in court, she cautioned me about how circumspect she was: she stood at the back of the courtroom and waited for the bailiff to approach her; she whispered her business succinctly; the bailiff would let her know when she could proceed.
People need to learn what is appropriate for different social settings. There are consequences.
The judges in district courts, circuit courts, and juvenile & domestic relations courts of four counties and one city.
He's just an ass. Probably a grumpy, pissed off old man.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.