Judge sentences man to 6 months in jail for yawning

2009-08-14 15:11:32

#1

Macbeth: Banned; +2,444|5874

Clifton Williams arrived at the Will County Courthouse in Joliet and sat in the fourth-floor courtroom where his cousin was pleading guilty to a felony drug charge.

As Circuit Judge Daniel Rozak handed down the cousin's sentence -- 2 years' probation -- Williams, 33, stretched and let out a very ill-timed yawn.

Williams' sentence? Six months in jail -- the maximum penalty for criminal contempt without a jury trial. The Richton Park man was locked up July 23 and will serve at least 21 days.

"I was flabbergasted because I didn't realize a judge could do that," said Williams' father, Clifton Williams Sr. "It seems to me like a yawn is an involuntary action."

Chuck Pelkie, a spokesman for the state's attorney's office, said the prosecutor in the courtroom that day told him that "it was not a simple yawn -- it was a loud and boisterous attempt to disrupt the proceedings."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca … 9452.story
He was let go after 3 weeks. So you think it was a judges ego going crazy or you think it was a judge responding to rudeness or do you

https://law.rightpundits.com/wp-content/photos/Clifton_Williams.jpg

Racism?!

2009-08-14 15:27:48

#2

Little BaBy JESUS: m8; +394|6438|'straya

Interesting. Because most judges I've seen wouldn't do it because they couldn't be fucked doing the extra paperwork (Seriously, I spent a week in the Supreme Court)

2009-08-14 20:26:47

#3

Mitch: 16 more years; +877|6814|South Florida

He was PROBLY being a rude asshole who thought it was funny and thought he could disrespect a judge in front of the court with no punishment. If thats the case then ya, teach him a lesson about respecting courtrooms.

15 more years! 15 more years!

2009-08-14 20:50:05

#4

Stubbee: Religions Hate Facts, Questions and Doubts; +223|7032|Reality

we can speculate all we want but without some video it is rather pointless

The US economy is a giant Ponzi scheme. And 'to big to fail' is code speak for 'niahnahniahniahnah 99 percenters'

2009-08-14 20:51:31

#5

Poseidon: Fudgepack DeQueef; +3,253|6826|Long Island, New York

Obnoxious? Yes.
Worth a 6 month sentence? Hell no.

2009-08-15 00:37:54

#6

Cybargs: Moderated; +2,285|7005

Mitch wrote:
He was PROBLY being a rude asshole who thought it was funny and thought he could disrespect a judge in front of the court with no punishment. If thats the case then ya, teach him a lesson about respecting courtrooms.

Just coz he's black?

https://cache.www.gametracker.com/server_info/203.46.105.23:21300/b_350_20_692108_381007_FFFFFF_000000.png

2009-08-15 02:02:52

#7

AussieReaper: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); +5,761|6442|what

Mitch wrote:
He was PROBLY being a rude asshole who thought it was funny and thought he could disrespect a judge in front of the court with no punishment. If thats the case then ya, teach him a lesson about respecting courtrooms.

Ever been in court Mitch?

You can spend hours waiting for your case to be heard.

2009-08-15 04:36:00

#8

FatherTed: xD; +3,936|6789|so randum

Mitch wrote:
He was PROBLY being a rude asshole who thought it was funny and thought he could disrespect a judge in front of the court with no punishment. If thats the case then ya, teach him a lesson about respecting courtrooms.

A lesson would have been a night in the cells and a fine, not 6 months. how the fuck is that justified?

Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella

2009-08-15 04:41:58

#9

lowing: Banned; +1,662|6940|USA

FatherTed wrote:
Mitch wrote:
He was PROBLY being a rude asshole who thought it was funny and thought he could disrespect a judge in front of the court with no punishment. If thats the case then ya, teach him a lesson about respecting courtrooms.
A lesson would have been a night in the cells and a fine, not 6 months. how the fuck is that justified?

I love it, this guy was being a smart ass in court. He thought he could thumb his nose at the system and mock it but instead became a part of it. Fuck him.

Last edited by lowing (2009-08-15 04:49:04)

2009-08-15 04:56:42

#10

Bradt3hleader: Care [ ] - Don't care [x]; +121|6225

Mitch wrote:
He was PROBLY being a rude asshole who thought it was funny and thought he could disrespect a judge in front of the court with no punishment. If thats the case then ya, teach him a lesson about respecting courtrooms.

That's what I think it is. You don't yawn like that and stretch your arms "involuntarily". What do you guys think?

2009-08-15 05:37:23

#11

Spark: liquid fluoride thorium reactor; +874|6963|Canberra, AUS

lowing wrote:
FatherTed wrote:
Mitch wrote:
He was PROBLY being a rude asshole who thought it was funny and thought he could disrespect a judge in front of the court with no punishment. If thats the case then ya, teach him a lesson about respecting courtrooms.
A lesson would have been a night in the cells and a fine, not 6 months. how the fuck is that justified?
I love it, this guy was being a smart ass in court. He thought he could thumb his nose at the system and mock it but instead became a part of it. Fuck him.

Welcome to the police state. Yawn and get six months.

The paradox is only a conflict between reality and your feeling what reality ought to be.
^{~ Richard Feynman}

2009-08-15 05:39:28

#12

SEREVENT: MASSIVE G STAR; +605|6396|Birmingham, UK

At least he won't do it again

6 months was a bit over the top though, i agree with FatherTed

2009-08-15 05:40:04

#13

lowing: Banned; +1,662|6940|USA

Spark wrote:
lowing wrote:
FatherTed wrote:

A lesson would have been a night in the cells and a fine, not 6 months. how the fuck is that justified?
I love it, this guy was being a smart ass in court. He thought he could thumb his nose at the system and mock it but instead became a part of it. Fuck him.
Welcome to the police state. Yawn and get six months.

It has been made very clear this was not a yawn. This was an over exaggerated smart ass jesture aimed at mocking the court. Lets at least start by agreeing on this.

2009-08-15 06:31:03

#14

Spark: liquid fluoride thorium reactor; +874|6963|Canberra, AUS

lowing wrote:
Spark wrote:
lowing wrote:

I love it, this guy was being a smart ass in court. He thought he could thumb his nose at the system and mock it but instead became a part of it. Fuck him.
Welcome to the police state. Yawn and get six months.
It has been made very clear this was not a yawn. This was an over exaggerated smart ass jesture aimed at mocking the court. Lets at least start by agreeing on this.

And deserves a higher penalty than a drink driving offence?

Proportional response.

If he was a jackass and did show contempt of court, chuck him in for a few hours or nights. But months?

This kind of overhanded response can be highly counterproductive, because in doing so it allows him to get off scot-free, and in certain situations may open up paths for litigation.

The paradox is only a conflict between reality and your feeling what reality ought to be.
^{~ Richard Feynman}

2009-08-15 06:33:29

#15

Red Forman: Banned; +402|5689

I agree with bold boy. Should have just locked him up overnight or something.

2009-08-15 06:36:49

#16

ghettoperson: Member; +1,943|6938

lowing wrote:
FatherTed wrote:
Mitch wrote:
He was PROBLY being a rude asshole who thought it was funny and thought he could disrespect a judge in front of the court with no punishment. If thats the case then ya, teach him a lesson about respecting courtrooms.
A lesson would have been a night in the cells and a fine, not 6 months. how the fuck is that justified?
I love it, this guy was being a smart ass in court. He thought he could thumb his nose at the system and mock it but instead became a part of it. Fuck him.

Even if he'd stood up and shouted "Fuck you" at the judge, 6 months is still over the top. You're on form as usual then if you genuinely think that's an acceptable punishment.

2009-08-15 07:20:50

#17

FatherTed: xD; +3,936|6789|so randum

lowing wrote:
FatherTed wrote:
Mitch wrote:
He was PROBLY being a rude asshole who thought it was funny and thought he could disrespect a judge in front of the court with no punishment. If thats the case then ya, teach him a lesson about respecting courtrooms.
A lesson would have been a night in the cells and a fine, not 6 months. how the fuck is that justified?
I love it, this guy was being a smart ass in court. He thought he could thumb his nose at the system and mock it but instead became a part of it. Fuck him.

Like someone lower down said, he gets a higher sentance than a DUI. Which is more deserving of a 6 month sentance? which one could just manage with a night in a cell and a fine?

Proportional?

Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella

2009-08-15 12:56:56

#18

Turquoise: O Canada; +1,596|6694|North Carolina

Mitch wrote:
He was PROBLY being a rude asshole who thought it was funny and thought he could disrespect a judge in front of the court with no punishment. If thats the case then ya, teach him a lesson about respecting courtrooms.

You don't really understand the concept of taking things too far, do you?

2009-08-15 13:06:04

#19

SEREVENT: MASSIVE G STAR; +605|6396|Birmingham, UK

Or he could just not have acted like an ass.

2009-08-15 13:55:33

#20

lowing: Banned; +1,662|6940|USA

Spark wrote:
lowing wrote:
Spark wrote:
Welcome to the police state. Yawn and get six months.
It has been made very clear this was not a yawn. This was an over exaggerated smart ass gesture aimed at mocking the court. Lets at least start by agreeing on this.
And deserves a higher penalty than a drink driving offence?

Proportional response.

If he was a jackass and did show contempt of court, chuck him in for a few hours or nights. But months?

This kind of overhanded response can be highly counterproductive, because in doing so it allows him to get off scot-free, and in certain situations may open up paths for litigation.

you make a great point, 6 months for mocking the court and 5 years for (the first) DWI sounds more proportionally fitting. I am all about punishing criminals.

also nothing counter productive about it, betcha he doesn't do it again

Last edited by lowing (2009-08-15 13:56:03)

2009-08-15 13:56:43

#21

lowing: Banned; +1,662|6940|USA

Red Forman wrote:
I agree with bold boy. Should have just locked him up overnight or something.

They did, 6 months worth of over night stays.

2009-08-15 13:58:54

#22

lowing: Banned; +1,662|6940|USA

ghettoperson wrote:
lowing wrote:
FatherTed wrote:

A lesson would have been a night in the cells and a fine, not 6 months. how the fuck is that justified?
I love it, this guy was being a smart ass in court. He thought he could thumb his nose at the system and mock it but instead became a part of it. Fuck him.
Even if he'd stood up and shouted "Fuck you" at the judge, 6 months is still over the top. You're on form as usual then if you genuinely think that's an acceptable punishment.

If he stood up and yelled fuck you to the court, I would say 6 months was not enough. there comes a time when you really need to respect authority in your miserable existence. Standing on the business end of a courtroom is one of those times.

2009-08-15 13:59:55

#23

lowing: Banned; +1,662|6940|USA

FatherTed wrote:
lowing wrote:
FatherTed wrote:
A lesson would have been a night in the cells and a fine, not 6 months. how the fuck is that justified?
I love it, this guy was being a smart ass in court. He thought he could thumb his nose at the system and mock it but instead became a part of it. Fuck him.
Like someone lower down said, he gets a higher sentance than a DUI. Which is more deserving of a 6 month sentance? which one could just manage with a night in a cell and a fine?

Proportional?

I agree with this, DWI's should punish waaaayyyy more harshly.

2009-08-15 14:02:01

#24

FEOS: Bellicose Yankee Air Pirate; +1,182|6700|'Murka

Racism? No.

Asshole judge? Yes.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular

2009-08-15 15:59:54

#25

Little BaBy JESUS: m8; +394|6438|'straya

lowing, you (might not be you specifically I can't remember lol) always talk about the slippery slope to things, ie: when you do something where does it stop. If a judge can give someone 6 months for yawning, why couldn't they give 12 months for speaking or 6 months for excessive crying or 12 months for not sitting with correct posture. Seriously, our courts aren't here to punish smartarses, they are here to punish criminals.

BF2S Forums Judge sentences man to 6 months in jail for yawning

Mitch wrote:

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