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And you thought I ♥ Bobbies was bad ...
An Illinois woman was cited for contempt of court and sentenced to two days in jail for wearing an inappropriate T-shirt (with the above logo) in the Lake County Courthouse.
Associate Judge Helen Rozenburg charged 19-year old Jennifer LaPenta with contempt of court for wearing the t-shirt in her courtroom. LaPenta was sitting in the gallery waiting for a friend's case to be called when the judge called her forward.
Rozenburg asked LaPenta if she thought her shirt was appropriate.
LaPenta said she told the judge that it would have been inappropriate had she been the defendant.
I guess the judge didn't like that answer - she immediately ordered LaPenta to 48 hours in jail (LaPenta was released after 24 hours), stating:
LaPenta's response? "They should be out looking for people who are breaking the law, not arresting someone wearing a T-shirt. They just threw me in jail. They never told me what I was going to jail for."
Ummm ... really? My guess is LaPenta was told she was being held for Contempt of Court. Just because she didn't know what that meant (which is a problem in and of itself) doesn't mean she wasn't told why she was being held.
LaPenta complained, "All the officers thought it was hilarious -- it was humiliating."
Did she not consider the fact that wearing that t-shirt into court was "humiliating" to the judicial system?
Better yet? According to LaPenta, she bought the t-shirt in the gay section of Spencer's. She said she is openly homosexual and complained that the judge was a "homophobe" for putting her in custody for wearing the t-shirt.
I'm guessing that statement will come back and bite her in the butt when her civil suit against the judge goes to court.
Yes, she has retained an attorney to file a civil suit against the judge. Personally, I can't imagine the civil suit will get LaPenta anything other than her 15 minutes of fame ... or at least I hope it doesn't.
What do you think? Did the judge over-react? Should LaPenta have been given the opportunity to leave the courtroom?
An Illinois woman was cited for contempt of court and sentenced to two days in jail for wearing an inappropriate T-shirt (with the above logo) in the Lake County Courthouse.
Associate Judge Helen Rozenburg charged 19-year old Jennifer LaPenta with contempt of court for wearing the t-shirt in her courtroom. LaPenta was sitting in the gallery waiting for a friend's case to be called when the judge called her forward.
Rozenburg asked LaPenta if she thought her shirt was appropriate.
LaPenta said she told the judge that it would have been inappropriate had she been the defendant.
I guess the judge didn't like that answer - she immediately ordered LaPenta to 48 hours in jail (LaPenta was released after 24 hours), stating:
LaPenta was in "direct criminal contempt" for "displaying herself in the front row wearing a shirt displaying obscene wording, and having been questioned regarding her apparel offering no excuse as to her displaying its content in open court."
LaPenta's response? "They should be out looking for people who are breaking the law, not arresting someone wearing a T-shirt. They just threw me in jail. They never told me what I was going to jail for."
Ummm ... really? My guess is LaPenta was told she was being held for Contempt of Court. Just because she didn't know what that meant (which is a problem in and of itself) doesn't mean she wasn't told why she was being held.
LaPenta complained, "All the officers thought it was hilarious -- it was humiliating."
Did she not consider the fact that wearing that t-shirt into court was "humiliating" to the judicial system?
Better yet? According to LaPenta, she bought the t-shirt in the gay section of Spencer's. She said she is openly homosexual and complained that the judge was a "homophobe" for putting her in custody for wearing the t-shirt.
I'm guessing that statement will come back and bite her in the butt when her civil suit against the judge goes to court.
Yes, she has retained an attorney to file a civil suit against the judge. Personally, I can't imagine the civil suit will get LaPenta anything other than her 15 minutes of fame ... or at least I hope it doesn't.
What do you think? Did the judge over-react? Should LaPenta have been given the opportunity to leave the courtroom?
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9 comments:
I now know what NOT to wear when I go before the judge tomorrow.
I heard about this. What a fucking moron. The chick, not the judge. I would have just had her escorted out of the courtroom, but I don't have to deal with assholes day in and day out like the judge, so I wouldn't say he over reacted. Cheers Dana!!
LaPenta is an idiot. Besides, if she's in a lesbian relationship, don't they both have the pussy?
Guess she found another place where even we Americans don't enjoy freedom of speech. And rightfully so.
I have seen a judge fine people for wearing shorts, flip flops and baseball. Judge makes the rules in his/her courtroom.
That young lady needs a manners class. Something was amiss in her upbringing if she thinks it is remotely acceptable to wear that shirt to a courtroom.
I'm sure the judge has to put up with all kinds of morons on a daily basis. Just like cops. And just like cops he gets sick and tired of it.
But, part of being a judge is being the one who makes the grown up decision. The article I read said that she offered to change shirts and the judge refused. Then he gave her two days.
As I said on twitter, people get busted for DUI and don't spend two days in jail. It was excessive.
But, that girl is a complete freaking moron for thinking that was appropriate to wear to court.
Doc, Yes, please keep your "I have the penis so I make the rules" shirt at home!
Matt-Man, contempt is one of those things where judges have the power, no matter how silly the act may seem. I can't imagine even considering sitting in the front row of a courtroom with that shirt on.
The Phool, I think some people take their perceived freedoms just a wee bit far.
Karen, I find it amazing that people will dress for court like they were going to the beach.
Jay, actually, the story is that she said, "I wasn't even offered a chance to go to the bathroom and change my shirt." In other words, she thought the judge should give her choices in the matter.
Honestly? I think if, when the judge asked her if she thought it was appropriate to be wearing that shirt in court, she'd have said something like, "I am so sorry your Honor! My friend needed a ride to court and she caught me just as I was leaving the gym. Would it be best if I left the courtroom?" she'd have had a very different day.
People who have no respect for decorum deserve what they get
You can't fix stupid Dana. I think the end of your answer to Jay, says it all.
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