What is Digg?240 Comments
- N3tw0rk, on 01/19/2008, -1/+1223 years in Jail? I don't know if the punishment fits the crime.
- inactive, on 01/19/2008, -5/+125judges are no more human than the people in the court they're presiding over......so ya quit with the ego and give the man a month in jail ......dont waste our dollars on 33 months trying to prove how powerful you are. The guy is right, you probably are an SOB.
- FSUCHEEF, on 01/19/2008, -8/+105Yes you shouldnt call the Judge an SOB but this sentence is a bit ridiculous. Why should this be a burden to taxpayers.
You wonder why we are going to a recession. - rtcrooks, on 01/19/2008, -23/+99dude...c'mon...freedom of speech or something.
- GuacamoleSan, on 01/19/2008, -2/+69Yeah 3 years in jail for that is a bit insane
- Error601, on 01/19/2008, -2/+57I think that violates the spirit of having a six month cap on contempt. I don't believe they intended each word to tack on another six months.
- johndi, on 01/19/2008, -3/+57No matter how contemptible a judge is you're not allowed to say it in the courtroom. Save that talk for outside. I still can't agree with 33 months. People have gotten off with less time for murder. It's just ***** up and I have nothing but contempt for the lousy SOB.
- tones1, on 01/19/2008, -4/+50Judge is a pansy insecure son of a bitch.
- phnx0221, on 01/19/2008, -17/+53Not to have his freedom taken away simply by calling a judge a son of a bitch?
- inactive, on 01/19/2008, -2/+37yeah this judge is really fair.... 33 months for calling him a name? Sounds like your sentence is based on if he likes you or not
- Baffles, on 01/19/2008, -7/+40MOMMY, HE CALLED ME A NAME!
- 3magine, on 01/19/2008, -10/+42***** that....I don't get this courtroom *****...is the judge ***** GOD? is he a better or more of a human being than anyone else? NO!
- phunlee, on 01/19/2008, -6/+35He could have called him whatever the ***** he wanted outside of that courtroom. At his house, in public, he could have started a group, assembled and had a 'I hate that sonuvabitch' weekly meeting. He says it in HIS courtroom, and every jackass that's ever watched Law and Order or Matlock should know better. *****, watch 'My Cousin Vinny'.
You're charged with a crime, *****, take it seriously. 'Court records, however, show Bass has consistently flouted the law — he failed to appear, or was late, to at least four court hearings last year in four felony cases. He faces trial in April for allegedly violating bond conditions last year.' This guy had his leniency and denied it. - Sirocco, on 01/19/2008, -10/+38I can't decide who is the bigger prick, the defendant or the judge.
- Baffles, on 01/19/2008, -0/+26He should have raped somebody, then he could have gotten off with probation.
- TrishaLyn, on 01/19/2008, -9/+34Haha... that is some pretty funny stuff. Apparently this guy is taking legal advice from Britney Spears
- positron, on 01/19/2008, -13/+33Here, I'll help you: The judge.
- dinostabOMG, on 01/19/2008, -8/+2733 months!?? I could understand a weekend, but *****. He'd better win on appeal and get that judge some stern-ass admonishment from whomever is in the business of frowning at the judiciary.
Actually... anyone know where I should send my resume? - Sroek, on 01/19/2008, -6/+21Dude come on, this is America. Not the one we once knew.
- TheTaoOfBill, on 01/19/2008, -2/+1733 months IS something special. 33 months for contempt of court is an outrageous abuse of power
- inactive, on 01/19/2008, -9/+22To the brainless morons screaming about freedom of speech. Do you actually know the limits of freedom of speech? instead of yapping and making absolute asses of yourselves try to read up on the laws of your country. This prevailing and seemingly celebrated ignorance is whats wrong with America today.
- capiCrimm, on 01/19/2008, -1/+14not only that, saying 'son', 'of', or 'a' was included in that sentence.If you can't say those words in court your pretty screwed.
- Hickeroar, on 01/19/2008, -6/+18Has nothing to do with freedom of speech. There are laws in place, he broke them. Freedom of speech doesn't mean you can say *ANYTHING* you want to *ANYONE* you want. 33 months in jail is over the top though. I bet that gets pronounced as such by another judge.
- yournightmare, on 01/19/2008, -3/+15You people saying "freedom of speech" don't seem to quite understand what that means in America. The first amendment has been interpreted to mean you have the right to talk about your views and freely disseminate information. You can't yell "fire" in a movie theater, you can't say "I have a bomb" on an airplane, you can't tell someone you are going to hurt them or kill them, you can't tell your teacher in public school to go ***** herself, you can't commit slander/libel, you can't file false police reports or make fake 911 calls, and you can't be disruptive in a court of law and call a judge a dirty son of a bitch. Don't bother quoting the first amendment, because I studied constitutional law for a year. I'm well aware of the language of the amendment. I'm also well aware of how courts have interpreted the first amendment.
The court system and the public's view of the rule of law would be an even bigger mockery if everyone started addressing judges as "you dirty son of a bitch" in the courtroom. You're free to call the judge what you want, as long it's not in court. Wait for him in the hallway if you want to tell him to go ***** himself.
The line for freedom of speech has been drawn by the court system for some time; you cross it when your speech infringes on the rights of others. The public clearly has a right to orderly court proceedings. Drop your simplistic and idealistic idea of what "freedom of speech" really means. It does not, and has never, meant that you can say whatever you want to say whenever and wherever you want to say it. If you truly believe it does, don't complain when your neighbor is loudly protesting the ugly tree in your front yard and keeps you up until 4am when you have to get for work at 6. Or is it OK to be disruptive in a courtroom, but not near your house?
That said, the sentence is clearly excessive. - cheesejaguar, on 01/19/2008, -5/+17"Fourth Judicial District Judge Robert Lowrey sentenced him to 33 months in jail on seven contempt charges after Bass called him an SOB three times, then added insult to injury by telling Lowrey to be quiet, refusing to answer Lowrey’s questions and refusing an order to shut up. "
Freedom of speech does not include cursing at a state judge, disrupting order, etc. Some people would have the court system working like the one in Idiocracy. - robbh66, on 01/19/2008, -4/+15Freedom of speech is protected outside the courtroom, not inside.
If that was the case people could argue that not showing up to court is freedom of speech- an expression of what they think about it.
Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing but people really need to get over this idea that it is unlimited and all encompassing in every instance. - minoss, on 01/19/2008, -0/+11You can, just not in a court.
- phunlee, on 01/19/2008, -3/+14I don't wonder why we're going into recession. But damn: 'Court records, however, show Bass has consistently flouted the law — he failed to appear, or was late, to at least four court hearings last year in four felony cases. He faces trial in April for allegedly violating bond conditions last year.' This guy never had respect for the court. We all agree to give the judiciary this power, if you don't: start revolting, but majority you'll lose, too.
- dgh1973, on 01/19/2008, -15/+25Duh, it's called "contempt of court". Why is this news?
"3 years in Jail? I don't know if the punishment fits the crime."
Come one, you know how our justice system is... 3 years means he'll do 6 months if he behaves himself. Plus he did it several times and was acting unruly in general according to the article. I think this falls under the typical rule of "don't mouth off to people that can make your life miserable". - nicholai, on 01/19/2008, -4/+14Fire this judge, he has anger management issues.
- wetmetalthong, on 01/19/2008, -3/+13I wouldn't think America could do such things. I think this is cruel and unusual punishment.... wait... I've heard that phrase before.... nevermind, I think it was just an episode of Law & Order. Nevermind. (goes back to the tv)
- kevinmotel, on 01/19/2008, -11/+20“The contempt power of the court is an inherent power given to the court so that it can control the proceedings before it, maintain proper decorum in the courtroom and protect the dignity of those proceedings,” Lowrey said.
- mal1964, on 01/19/2008, -3/+12I applaud him most judges are letting the fools out, just to commit more crimes and laugh at the law.
"Lowrey, who has been a district judge since January 2004, said he would reconsider the sentence if Bass successfully completes an anger-management class."
This is the way all judges should work. - bluesdealer, on 01/19/2008, -8/+17Maybe when you grow a mind capable of critical thought, you will understand that questioning authority is not only a right, but a duty.
- alricsca, on 01/19/2008, -2/+11I think three years is a bit much, I suspect the judge is acting more out of irritation over the acquittal of a person he thinks is guilty than a sense of justice. This brings to mind a simple solution to this. Contempt charges should be sentenced by someone other than the victim. Otherwise, it is pretty much letting the victim punish the criminal however they see fit. That is not justice. I want to make it clear, I do think one should be held responsible for acting in contempt, I simply feel that another judge should review such decisions quickly.
- jtscira, on 01/19/2008, -2/+11Yep but your gonna be dugg down by the people yapping and making asses of themselves.
- Hickeroar, on 01/19/2008, -0/+9The point wasn't that Law and Order is a good "law school" but that any retard with a TV (or a brain) should know that contempt of court IS a crime.
- arcangelgabriel, on 01/19/2008, -2/+10~Paraphrased and shortened~
CONTEMPT OF COURT - Any willful disobedience to, or disregard of, a court order or any misconduct in the presence of a court; action that interferes with a judge's ability to administer justice or that insults the dignity of the court; punishable by fine or imprisonment or both. There are both civil and criminal contempts; the distinction is often unclear.
A judge who feels someone is improperly challenging or ignoring the court's authority has the power to declare the defiant person (called the contemnor) in contempt of court. There are two types of contempt - criminal and civil. Criminal contempt occurs when the contemnor actually interferes with the ability of the court to function properly - for example, by yelling at the judge. This is also called direct contempt because it occurs directly in front of the judge. A criminal contemnor may be fined, jailed or both as punishment for his act.
Civil contempt occurs when the contemnor willfully disobeys a court order. This is also called indirect contempt because it occurs outside the judge's immediate realm and evidence must be presented to the judge to prove the contempt. A civil contemnor, too, may be fined, jailed or both. The fine or jailing is meant to coerce the contemnor into obeying the court, not to punish him, and the contemnor will be released from jail just as soon as he complies with the court order. In family law, civil contempt is one way a court enforces alimony, child support, custody and visitation orders which have been violated.
By the Constitution of the United States, each house of congress may determine the rules of its proceeding's, punish its members for disorderly behaviour and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member. The same provision is substantially contained in the constitutions of the several states. This edict also pertains to civil and criminal courts.
In some states, as in Pennsylvania, the power to punish for contempts is restricted to offences committed by the officers of the court, or in its presence, or in disobedience of its mandates, orders, or rules; but no one is guilty of a contempt for any publication made or act done out of court which is not in violation of such lawful rules or orders, or disobedience of its process. Similar provisions, limiting the power of the courts of the United States to punish for contempts, are incorporated in 28 U.S.C.
When a person is in prison for a contempt, it has been decided in New York that he cannot be discharged by another judge when brought before him on a habeas corpus; and it belongs exclusively to the court offended to judge of contempts and what amounts to them; and no other court or judge can, or ought to undertake in a collateral way, to question or review an adjudication of a contempt made by another competent jurisdiction. - inactive, on 01/19/2008, -2/+10Actually, NO, that's absolutely NOT what freedom of speech is. You absolutely cannot say anything to anyone and expect to be safe. I bet you also think you're covered by the 1st Amendment if you walk up to someone and say you're going to kill them... God, you people with your armchair law degrees are pathetic.
- phunlee, on 01/19/2008, -4/+12what? seriously? Please rent 'My Cousin Vinny' It'll teach you the basics of how our court system works. Or check out Law and Order, it comes on for 6 hours every day.
- CthulhuDawn, on 01/19/2008, -0/+7Contempt of court.
- ComradeGoby, on 01/19/2008, -3/+1033 months is soon?
- arcangelgabriel, on 01/19/2008, -0/+7Good luck with all that.
- HPMNick, on 01/19/2008, -1/+8I can perfectly understand someone getting a night in jail for this, but 33 months?
I understand the need for order in a courtroom, but I don't like how our judicial system can give complete and arbitrary sentencing power to one man.
I've seen a few court cases play out, and a lot of people who become judges do seem to be pricks. Note for anyone who ends up in small claims: opt for an arbitrater. They actually listen to the case.
Some judges are pure *****... - tones1, on 01/19/2008, -10/+17What crime?
- Rileyper, on 01/19/2008, -2/+8The problem is they think that the first amendment overrides the fifth amendment
- jtscira, on 01/19/2008, -4/+10I don't feel sorry for the guy. You have to show respect in the courtroom.
- sporg, on 01/19/2008, -2/+8In my experience many judges are dirty sons of bitches. From watching court proceedings I have seen what pricks they are and I'm not talking about those silly television shows featuring judges who are clowns. Sometimes its understandable when dealing with some idiot who comes to court in ripped jeans and a sleeveless shirt. However you can see many times that they are just harassing and mocking defendants just because they can.
- bluesdealer, on 01/19/2008, -0/+5Are you dense?
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