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Phoenix courtroom event
A while back I blogged a report that a Maricopa County detention officer had been caught on security cam rummaging thru a public defender's file while her back was turned, and taking something from it. Today's newspaper reports that the judge held the officer in contempt, and ordered him to apologize (lot of good that would do). He refused, and is presently jailed for contempt.
He's appealing, and may have a good point.... an order to apologize amounts to "say something you may not believe, or go to jail."
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On the other hand, I'm one of those that believes a little jail time for the detention officer is appropriate for his misdemeanor.
Don't wanna apologize?
OK, go to jail for theft, son.
Having watched the video, I believe the contempt charge is valid. The order to apologize was the judge's way of letting him out of the contempt charge, which may or may not be in a judge's prerogative. If he is in jail, I have no problem with that, as people go to jail for contempt of court all the time.
My thoughts exactly, Joshua.
The judge was giving him an out.
Taking a paper from the defense attorney's file alone is worthy of a contempt charge, in my opinion. It was clearly an attempt to subvert the administration of justice.
Instead of:
"and ordered him to apologize."
I'm waiting for:
"and declared his pension contributions to be forfeit."
If you want to see career civil servants start respecting the law, that'll do it.
quote: "He's appealing, and may have a good point.... an order to apologize amounts to "say something you may not believe, or go to jail."
Lately we've heard so much about cops "testilying" in court, one wonders why the deputy would consider it different under these circumstances?
Anyone notice his boss, Mr. Guts and Glory has stayed out of this one. Which speaks volumes about his foundation. What he did was criminal conduct to cheat a citizen out of their fair day in court and their Constitutional rights. He needs to be send to federal prison for federal civil rights charges. If Stacy Koon had to go to prison on civil rights charges after being found not guilty in state court. This cries out for that same kind of justice.
"and ordered him to apologize"
What a joke. That will certainly have a chilling effect on any future similar behavior by government officcials.