# Should michael be incarcerated for the duration? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 10, 2005, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855 "2005-03-10T16:40:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Well](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df788c/32.png) [@Well](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Well)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/1 "2005-03-10T16:40:02Z")
Just heard on a news blurb that Michael Jackson has an arrest warrant issued for him because he failed to show up at court. I do not know the details. But assuming he just decided he didn’t want to go, or makes an excuse like he had a runny nose and needed to go to the hospital, can and should the judge hold him until the trial is over? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/2 "2005-03-10T16:46:45Z")
He is out on bail, hopefully it will be forfitted after this stunt,. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/3 "2005-03-10T16:54:43Z")
According to CourtTV, his attorney says he was in the hospital. Read the teaser on their front page, [here](http://courttv.com/home_news/index.html). I cannot find any information about the warrent or any particulars there though, even after clicking on the appropriate link [here](http://courttv.com/trials/jackson/). ---
**Author:** ![Well](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df788c/32.png) [@Well](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Well)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/4 "2005-03-10T17:07:14Z")
> [@Zabali\_Clawbane](#): > > According to CourtTV, his attorney says he was in the hospital. Read the teaser on their front page, [here](http://courttv.com/home_news/index.html). I cannot find any information about the warrent or any particulars there though, even after clicking on the appropriate link [here](http://courttv.com/trials/jackson/). > [@](#): > > Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville (search) also said Jackson would lose the $3 million bail that has kept the accused child molester free. > > Jackson’s lawyer, Thomas Mesereau Jr. (search), said, “Mr. Jackson is at Cottage Hospital in Santa Ynez with a serious back problem. He does plan to come in.” > > The judge, obviously angry, declared, “I’m issuing a warrant for his arrest. I"m forfeiting his bail. I will hold the order for one hour.” I guess that answers the first part of my question on if he could. So, considering this is the second time Mike had to go to the hospital on unrelated “ailments”, should the judge consider the burden he is likely to be on the court in the future? At this posting he has 5 minutes to get to court and 10 minutes ago his lawyers said he was 5 minutes away. ---
**Author:** ![Well](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df788c/32.png) [@Well](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Well)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/5 "2005-03-10T17:08:34Z")
[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,150001,00.html](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,150001,00.html) ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/6 "2005-03-10T17:15:22Z")
Working from home has it’s advantages. Jackson was susposedly being treated for back pain. The judge doesn’t want to hear it and issued the order stated above staying it for one hour. As of right now he has three minutes to get to court. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/7 "2005-03-10T17:28:53Z")
Hmmm… Looks like he finally made it in. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/8 "2005-03-10T18:12:01Z")
From the various stories about his net worth, he can’t afford to lose $3M. Would be surprised if his lawyers get paid. It’s hard to look at the successful little boy of the Jackson Five and the person he’s become. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2005, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/9 "2005-03-11T00:51:51Z")
Addressing the title of the thread: Yes. Just to be safe. On general principle. You or me or Joe Schmo would not be getting a slap on the wrist if we wandered into court 1 hr 5 min late in our pajamas. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2005, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/10 "2005-03-11T03:39:09Z")
Now the people around him are talking suicide. Between his financial position and this trial it might be best if they locked him up. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/11 "2005-03-11T03:59:05Z")
[Link](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,149992,00.html) to what **Magiver** said. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2005, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/12 "2005-03-11T04:04:16Z")
If he commits suicide, all hell will break lose-imagine the martyrdom! ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2005, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/13 "2005-03-11T04:22:59Z")
Child molestor commits suicide? Not sure how far the sympathy train will run. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2005, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/14 "2005-03-11T04:30:57Z")
The soon-to-be-defunct forums at the Fametracker website call his fans CTWS, for The Cult of the Tremulous Wounded Starchild. I found this note on one of the MJ forums: > [@](#): > > I just get so furious that our society has become so quick to jump on someone for showing love and kindness to children. In a childs mind curling up with an adult or mother or father in a bed and watching tv or playing video games is the ultimate!! My children love to curl up with me and play Playstation or watch a good movie. It makes me sick that society looks on at this as sexual or molestation. It also makes me very sad that these adults are missing out on alot of love…both showing and giving to a child. Children are so innocent that at times we have to bring ourselves down to their level. They are not to be treated as small adults…They are children and please don’t take that innocence away with all of these accusations. I know where you are comming from Michael (if I may call you Michael) children need this in their lives. Society should stop making them grow up so fast…and let them be children for as long as they can! > > My heart goes out to you (what is left of it). My children feel the same way too. Life is to short. We must enjoy and embrace our children for they are our future. > > Michael please do not lose your childhood again…you just found it!!! and it would kill me if you lose it again…we would all lose the happiness that you share with us in your music! > > Please stay strong “the truth shall set you free!!!” > > Lots of Love And that’s one of the more literate ones. More typical is stuff like this from today: “'Thanks guys i just get worried! It’s hard and i feel so bad. I mean i don’t want this to sound mushy and it probably will When I saw him this morning i wanted to hug him and scold him before i heard the details. I was just worried.” or " God I hope he gets better. I can’t imagine all this stress he’s going through. Why can’t people have some sympathy for him? And all these people who think he’s faking it? They better shut it and read and prove to themselves if they think they’re so confident. (assholes) Anyway that was what was going through my mind today. Let’s pray for MJ’s health and a bright new day. Peace." Uh huh. I won’t link directly, because first of all it’s against the Board rules here and secondly, all the forums are pretty much alike. ---
**Author:** ![Well](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df788c/32.png) [@Well](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Well)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2005, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/15 "2005-03-11T05:33:06Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > [Link](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,149992,00.html) to what **Magiver** said. And here I was thinking he was saying his family and friends wanted to kill themselves from embarrassment. How about the judge save the taxpayers a few million and just delare Jackson insane and let him live in the state “mansion” we can call Lalaland. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2005, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/16 "2005-03-11T13:06:56Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Child molestor commits suicide? Not sure how far the sympathy train will run. Good thing you’re not on the jury. (No, I wouldn’t be allowed on his jury either, because things like the fact that he only seemed to want to know if an “intruder” was in the hall outside his bedroom has biased me.) Isn’t he still innocent until proven guilty in a court of law? Llet the trial proceed, and if he’s found guilty, than your statements is true. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/17 "2005-03-11T19:53:12Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > [Link](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,149992,00.html) to what **Magiver** said. > [@](#): > > That’s because Wednesday night, as we reported earlier, a meeting took place at Neverland concerning the dire financial picture. **Staffers have not been paid in two weeks. Some have walked off the job.** Others are holding on for the moment, but as one said to me yesterday: “When does loyalty become stupidity?” > > Another Jackson source put the dilemma succinctly: “Michael is most terrified of people thinking he’s broke. And now there’s proof of it.” > > On Wednesday, Jackson’s brother Randy promised to come up with $150,000 to meet the arrears in payroll at Neverland. This did not materialize, and on Thursday morning Randy was still under the gun to find the money to keep the ranch going. > > Ironically, $150,000 used to be pocket change to Jackson, who routinely squandered millions on nonsensical, worthless souvenirs and tchotchkes. When he paid his 1993 accuser $20 million to avoid a court case, it was like a drop in the bucket. > > But now a relatively small amount of money has driven him to wear pajamas and slippers to court on the most important day of his trial. Ironically — as I reported yesterday — Randy Jackson tried to borrow $200,000 from another member of the inner circle — and failed. [bolding mine] If this is true, (FoxNews here, had to take it with a monumental grain of salt) then Michael is truly toast, regardless of the result of the trial, he will have less access to children now and if by any chance he is declared innocent, next time even less people will stand to defend him. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/18 "2005-03-11T20:14:15Z")
He probably has loads of things he can sell. Is someone at least taking care of all those animals? Jeeze. ---
**Author:** ![Malodorous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47774/32.png) [@Malodorous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malodorous)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2005, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/19 "2005-03-11T20:40:27Z")
I never thought I’d feel sorry for a lawyer, but MJ’s attorneys are probably curled up crying in a corner right now. As for the OP, if MJ can get a doctor to say that he was legitimitley sick, and he doesn’t make a habit of showing up late for court, then I guess they should give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, I’m sure some people do in fact get sick and miss court dates, and I don’t think they should all loose thier bail money because of it. And really he’s only hurting his own case by showing up an hour late in PJs. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2005, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855/20 "2005-03-11T22:24:44Z")
> [@Malodorous](#): > > I never thought I’d feel sorry for a lawyer, but MJ’s attorneys are probably curled up crying in a corner right now. > > As for the OP, if MJ can get a doctor to say that he was legitimitley sick, and he doesn’t make a habit of showing up late for court, then I guess they should give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, I’m sure some people do in fact get sick and miss court dates, and I don’t think they should all loose thier bail money because of it. > > And really he’s only hurting his own case by showing up an hour late in PJs. Oh, I’m sure that MICHAEL thought he was really sick. To him it was real. But it was most likely psychosomatic. Like the last time, when he supposedly had the flu? Turns out it was a stomach ache and a temperature two degrees BELOW normal. Sounds like nerves to me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-be-incarcerated-for-the-duration/293855.md?page=2)