Guilty of Self-Delusion

[South Texan]

I had this one thrown at me today in the courtroom:

"Hey, I may have broken the law, but I am not a criminal and you will not treat me like one!"

What prompted that self-contradicting statement?
I had asked her to stop her conversation on her cell phone while she was at my desk wanting me to help her set up a payment plan for her fines.

[Crai]

The few Courts I have had to deal with had a sign that said No Cell Phones allowed.

[gremcint]

another person who needs to hear mike's speech from better call saul. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywJoDoaoaO0

[Rosco the Iroc]

Yea according to that guilty plea you are, next!

[Limescale]

Is that so ma'am? Well let's see what Webster has to say about that.

*ahem*

CRIMINAL (n)

1. : involving illegal activity : relating to crime


Okay let's see what crime is defined as:


CRIME (n)

1. an illegal act for which someone can be punished by the government
2. activity that is against the law : illegal acts in general
3. an act that is foolish or wrong


Seeing as you fully admit you acted in a way that fits the definition of a crime, that would, according to the logic of our forefather of basic literary knowledge, make you a criminal, no?

If you want we can check if the legal definitions say anything different...but seeing as you're at a court house and not as a plantiff, I doubt you'd be smart enough to understand.

Yeah, yeah, I'm horrible. Sorry.

[eltf177]

The few Courts I have had to deal with had a sign that said No Cell Phones allowed.

Judge's in our jurisdiction do NOT take cell phones going off in their courtroom well. They WILL confiscate it - I saw a cop get his taken away once!

[MoonCat]

Well, that kind of "thinking" does explain why she's there in the first place.

[bainsidhe]

"Hey, I may have broken the law, but I am not a criminal and you will not treat me like one!"

Then I won't deal with you at all. *looks at the next person in line* NEXT!

[Slave to the Phone]

Judge's in our jurisdiction do NOT take cell phones going off in their courtroom well. They WILL confiscate it - I saw a cop get his taken away once!

Once I had federal jury and while the defense attorney was doing a dramatic presentation when a lady in the first row had her cell phone go off. Silence filled the court room, all eyes on the poor lady. She started digging frantically through her bag and failed to find the phone before it rang a second time. The defense attorney, arm still outstretched, pointing at a witness gave a short bark of laughter.

Later, during a break, the lady said that had been the most embarrassing thing that ever happened in her life.

[WishfulSpirit]

<pandantic>What was she convicted of? If she was guilty of a civil offense she isn't technically a criminal, since what she did wasn't TECHNICALLY a crime. This seems likely given that she's being fined rather than jailed. For example, there are laws against driving without your insurance card in the car, but it isn't a crime, it's a civil offense (or at least that's a civil offense where I'm from), whereas shoplifting or (to stick to the driving theme) vehicular negligence (running a red and causing a crash) are crimes. IANAL but I am related to several. </pandantic>

Not that I expect an SC to know that much about law anyway.

[Crai]

Not that I expect an SC to know that much about law anyway.

They usually know JUST enough to be a danger to themselves and others, but not enough too be right. Add in the insurmountably amount that is 100% wrong and you have your average SC.

Point in case http://www.notmymonkies.net/2016/04/29/tax-free/

[ladyjaneinmd]

Very odd. Every time I've been in a courtroom (okay, all 2 times), it was stated many MANY times that if my cell phone was not turned off, and that meant OFF, not on vibrate or anything else, it would be taken away from me (with the unspoken idea that it would never be given back).
I have a cell phone. It's a way cool smart phone with all the bells and whistles, and I LOVES it. However, I am honestly not so important that it has to be on and in my hands at all times. It is put away in my bag and not turned on during work, during meetings, and certainly not during church!

[South Texan]

Cell phones use only is barred in this court when the judge actually is on the bench and/or the court is in session. During the "down" time while people are waiting, the phones may be used.

And yes, she had pled guilty and been fined for an actual (although low level) criminal offense.

[EricKei]

Just as a heads-up: No debates about what the laws in question mean, please. Talking about the idiots trying to manipulate them is fine. If a question arises about their meaning, please just link to a relevant page and move on.

[Jetfire]

Judge's in our jurisdiction do NOT take cell phones going off in their courtroom well. They WILL confiscate it - I saw a cop get his taken away once!

"Bailiff, please confiscate the Bailiff's cell phone. If he's nice he might get it back at the end of this session."

And on a side note, of all the remakes and relaunches Hollywood does, I almost want to see a modern take on Night Court. It probably wouldn't be the same without Harry and John and the rest.

Guess I'll just have to be satisfied by the clown shows Judge Judy and Judge Milien preside over instead.