Judge Slaps $200 Fines On Men Whose Cell Phones Rang In Court
The title 'Justice of the Peace' takes on new meaning in an Atlanta courtroom, where a judge has slapped a $200 fine on two men whose ringing cell phones went off within minutes of each other in the middle of a hearing.
Atlanta Municipal Court Judge Herman Sloan held the two men in contempt of court for the auditory interruptions. While he finished hearing cases on his docket, he had the two men sit out the time in the jury box. Then, he offered them each a sentence with a choice: a $200 fine or 10 days in jail.
The first man claimed his cell phone was turned off. The second man claimed he was late to court and hadn't heard an earlier announcement warning people to silence their phones. Either way, the judge was none too pleased, and was quick to take action.
Both men chose the $200 fine.
We choose to keep our cell phones on 'vibrate.' [Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution via Textually.org.]
Filed under: Cell Phones
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
twilkins007 @ Jul 1st 2008 9:01PM
Typical pig bullcrap. These appointed arseholes think they have free reign to inpose their personal pet peeves on the public. If his wife had given him a bj the night before, this probably would have never happened. Liberal judges run amok. This is something that is out of control; there needs to be something put into our system of checks and balances about rogue judges,
chrismid @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:53PM
twilkins...you are an idiot.
You sound like you may have been one of the two jerks who didn't turn their cell phone to vibrate when they entered the courtroom and got caught.
The fines should have been double what they were.
You go, judge!!
John Coquillard @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:13AM
WOW! what a tough judge....you get- em judge..hope you act that fast on killers and rapists..go get-em buddy..
john @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:33AM
The sad thing is a large percentage of people would sit there and have a conversation after it rang if they could get away with it. Unless someones in labor, the hospital or an accident there is little reason to have a conversation in a closed public place. We as a country are becoming increasingly ill mannered.
Debbie @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:39AM
Anyone with brains would know that you have to shut a cellphone off in court. can we say....ignorant?
Neuticles @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:59AM
judges are half nuts to begin with.
Alex Vanbell @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:00AM
Now if you were only allowed to hit someone on the Head with a Rubber Mallet in the Movies or Church that would be AWSOME. Bust Their Head WIDE open rite where they sit. AMEN. and pass the POP CORN.
m e @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:02AM
DUH!!! The men are in court, that says it all right there. People in court have already run afoul of the law, just add this bit of ignorance to their already long list of issues! Too bad, so sad!
lillawyernica @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:18AM
The judges in my district's courts typically confiscate the cell phones and donate them to the local domestic violence shelter. Of course this is after they berate the geniuses who either fail to understand what "Please turn off your cell phones" means or just lack respect for the court.
Rathke, Esq @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:21AM
Law school professors hated it; therefore, judges will hate it. The last thing you want to do is upset the judge. http://www.gotwarrant.com
Joe @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:34AM
Maybe these to guys should appeal to another court but remember to turn off there phones this time.
justinkyle913 @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:42AM
what if it would have been some old lady that forgot she even had a cell phone, u think he woulda fined her or threw her n jail? The retards should have turned the phones off, but someone should give the judge a chill pill.
... @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:48AM
thats kind of lame... but what ever works i guess.
the conversation must have sounded like
$200 the ringtone only cost $1.50!!!
MD @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:55AM
GOOD FOR THE JUDGE
Wordsmith @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:01AM
The judge is out of order, we are human and tend to be late, or preoccupied at times, If that was an Attorney, or a family member like say his wife or mother there would have been no fine.
Abuse of power
Eddie @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:04AM
Who does this Judge think he is? They think they are god too many times. It's about time these corrupt judges were taken off the bench. I mean jail time for not breaking any laws, just a little cel phone ring? Last time I checked that was not against any laws.
Bad @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:35AM
Hopefully he sentences the real crimnals to harsh penalties aswell. May not be against the law but just common sense and curtisy...DUH !
Steve Pettit @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:45PM
Unfortunately Americans tend to be selfish, and rude, I am glad to see a judge come down hard on them. Maybe this will teach them,to be considerate of others.
LEO @ Jul 2nd 2008 3:31PM
Actually, for you ignorant people who stated that jail for phones ringing is not a crime. You need to do a little research on what "contempt of court" is. In my circuit there are signs posted everywhere about not having cell phones in the courtroom. People just dont want to go back down 3 flights of stairs to put them in their cars. Then, before the judge even starts with the docket, he makes announcements that if a cellphone goes off he will fine the person 500$ and confiscate their phone. This is pretty much the practice of every judge I have ever come across in central Florida. So, 200$ is nothing....
hdflhkat @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:27AM
Hello??? All cell phones have a vibrate option. Use it. And letting a cell phone ring in a courtroom, a hospital room, church, a conference call, a staff meeting - should be against the law. Then, to actually answer the phone in those instances? I have a hammer I am more than willing to use on them (phone and possibley user too) and I am a telecommunications supevisor who deals with hundreds of wireless units.
BUT ..... just because they were in court doesn't mean they were defendants. Could have been lawyers (no coment) or family, or cops there to testify or ........... doesn't matter cause no matter who , IMPOLITE is what it was and I suspect after forking over their $200 they will learn how to set them on vibrate, put them in their front pockets...........and smile when an incoming cal comes through... This judge did a favor to all in the vacinity of these two dim bulbs now and in the future......