# Courtroom 101: things defendants shouldn't do **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 6, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453 "2013-02-06T03:49:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/21 "2013-02-06T18:28:49Z")
During the Casey Anthony trial a guy in the gallery flipped the bird at the prosecutor. Bailiffs noticed and told the judge. Judge called a hearing right then and charged the guy with contempt. Six days in jail and a $400 fine. People just don’t know how to act politely anymore. [http://www.mediaite.com/tv/casey-anthony-circus-man-flips-off-prosecutor-in-court-judge-gives-him-6-days-in-jail/](http://www.mediaite.com/tv/casey-anthony-circus-man-flips-off-prosecutor-in-court-judge-gives-him-6-days-in-jail/) ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/22 "2013-02-06T18:43:44Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > …Kid was still making the rounds after my case was called and I had testified. Of course, I stepped out, waited a while, came back in and got a second apology. 😃 Was he handing out cash while making his apologies? Or, apparently people have a lot of free time in Austin. Wow, just for saying ‘adios’? I think the judge went quite a bit overboard. She was clearly a teenager who didn’t know any better. That said, I think the 30 days will do her good. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/23 "2013-02-06T18:52:21Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > She was clearly a teenager who didn’t know any better. And now she does! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/24 "2013-02-06T18:54:53Z")
I wonder if they release people early for over crowding in Florida? I know Lindsay Lohan in California got two different jail sentences. Each time she got released within a few days for overcrowding. Kind of makes a mockery of the jail system. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/25 "2013-02-06T19:09:33Z")
I was in court waiting on a speeding ticket trial and there was a woman in front of me that couldn’t be quiet. She was utterly clueless, and the judge was extremely patient but obviously irritated. It was astonishing to watch. It went something like this: Woman: “I’m not guilty - I didn’t do anything.” Judge: “Ma’am, please be quiet while I read the charges.” Woman: “Your honor, I didn’t do anything…” Judge: “I asked you, ma’am, to be quiet while I read the charges.” Woman: “But I didn’t do anything like it-” Judge: “Ma’am, I’m asking you for the last time to be silent or I will hold you in contempt.” Woman: “But I’m saying that I didn’t do anything…” Judge: “And now you are in contempt. Baliff, remove this woman, next case.” Here’s another thing not to do: [pretend to have a heart attack](http://youtu.be/RrWSx46NlI4). ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/26 "2013-02-06T19:11:10Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I wonder if they release people early for over crowding in Florida? Yeah, seriously. If it were my tax dollars being used to keep her in jail for this, I’d be pissed. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/27 "2013-02-06T19:12:35Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > SHE was out of order? HE was out of order! That whole COURTROOM was out of order! ATTICA! ATTICA! Say hello to my little friend! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/28 "2013-02-06T19:16:13Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Yeah, seriously. If it were my tax dollars being used to keep her in jail for this, I’d be pissed. Me too. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing her parents having to serve some time. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/29 "2013-02-06T19:24:16Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Yeah, seriously. If it were my tax dollars being used to keep her in jail for this, I’d be pissed. I’d actually be fine with it. I’ll even chip in to cover your share! Since you know where she’s going to be for the next 30 days, maybe you could visit and cry on each others’ shoulders while protesting the unfairness inherent in the system. You might even get a handy under the table, assuming there’s no Plexiglas divider. Out of curiosity, have any of of you crying “b…b…but all she did was say _goodbye_!” actually watched the video? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/30 "2013-02-06T19:41:55Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Yeah, seriously. If it were my tax dollars being used to keep her in jail for this, I’d be pissed. I’ll pay extra to keep her there. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/31 "2013-02-06T20:11:44Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Talk about lunchbag letdown, they couldn’t have shown a few more seconds of tape, to see the boneheads reaction? That was the payoff I was waiting to see. You’re welcome. [http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/giggling-woman-flips-judge-bird-judge-not-amused-210739814.html](http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/giggling-woman-flips-judge-bird-judge-not-amused-210739814.html) ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/32 "2013-02-06T20:24:35Z")
Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/33 "2013-02-06T20:30:57Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Since you know where she’s going to be for the next 30 days, maybe you could visit and cry on each others’ shoulders while protesting the unfairness inherent in the system. You might even get a handy under the table, assuming there’s no Plexiglas divider. 😕 The fuck are you on about? Keeping people in jail costs money. That money comes from taxes. I want tax dollars to be spent to keep people in jail who are endangering society. Keeping people in jail because they acted like an asshole to a judge is a waste of money. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/34 "2013-02-06T21:19:07Z")
Oh. Well, nevermind about the handjob then. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/35 "2013-02-06T21:33:11Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > 😕 The fuck are you on about? > > Keeping people in jail costs money. That money comes from taxes. I want tax dollars to be spent to keep people in jail who are endangering society. Keeping people in jail because they acted like an asshole to a judge is a waste of money. Except that if this is her attitude to an authority figure that has the power to imprison her, imagine what her attitude is to everyone else. I consider this (jailing her for 30 days) to be an act of benefit to her and to society at large. While I doubt that she’ll learn much from it, she does at least have the opportunity to learn that she’s being a collosal arrogant dumbass and she aught to stop it. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/36 "2013-02-06T22:59:58Z")
She flipped off the judge and said ‘fuck you’ to him. Of course she should be held in contempt. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/37 "2013-02-06T23:16:28Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > It’s disrespectful to say “farewell” to a judge in court? Apparently that only works one way. The judge said, “Goodbye!”, and later, “Adios!” to her as well. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/38 "2013-02-06T23:21:03Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Out of curiosity, have any of of you crying “b…b…but all she did was say _goodbye_!” actually watched the video? I assume that you’re addressing me, since I’m the only person in the thread that’s asked what was wrong with her saying “adios” to the judge after he said “bye-bye” to her. Yes, I did watch the video. That’s how I know that she said “adios”. And your characterization of me (or anyone else in this thread is so far off base that it’s not even grounded in reality. What did you see and/or hear in the video when she said “adios” that leads you to conclude that she was somehow disrespectful? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/39 "2013-02-06T23:22:09Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > She flipped off the judge and said ‘fuck you’ to him. Of course she should be held in contempt. Yep, I agree. For that, she deserved to be admonished in some fashion. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453/40 "2013-02-06T23:38:45Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > What did you see and/or hear in the video when she said “adios” that leads you to conclude that she was somehow disrespectful? Yeah, I’m not going to play this game with you. If you watched the video and think she was behaving appropriately in front of a judge, we’ll just have to disagree until you come to your senses. > [@Musicat](#): > > Apparently that only works one way. The judge said, “Goodbye!”, and later, “Adios!” to her as well. She also isn’t permitted to bang the gavel, dismiss all charges against herself, and have the judge jailed for contempt. Just a few of the myriad injustices of our so-called “justice” system. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courtroom-101-things-defendants-shouldnt-do/649453.md?page=3)