Should Wearing Short Shorts Be A Crime?
Judges who hold people in contempt, or even jail them, for letting their cellphones go off in court -- e.g., Robert Restaino, Diane Boswell -- may be overreacting.
The same can't be said for Judge Janet Booth, of Garrard County, Kentucky. Judge Booth just sent a woman to jail, for three days, for wearing short shorts to court.
This was completely justified. Short shorts do not belong in court. Nor do they belong in the office.
Fashion lesson over. Class dismissed.
P.S. And if you're a guy, don't forget to wear a tie to court -- especially if you're arguing before the Federal Circuit.
Judge jails woman for wearing short shorts [On the beat in the Bluegrass]
Note to West Coast Lawyers: The Federal Circuit Requires a Tie [WSJ Law Blog]
Earlier: Shorts Crack the Code [Dealbreaker]
(23) Comments
these pretzels are making me firsty
who likes short shorts?
Yesterday was THIRDSday.
we like short shorts!
Man, how much FOURTHer can I get?
Damn you 4!
-5
what happened to the new ATL guy?
Re: new guy (Elie aka Sophist):
"The handover of day-to-day editorial duties will take place sometime later this month."
http://abovethelaw.com/2008/08/atl_idol_congratulations_sophist.php
Jessica Simpson is just a lumberjack looking for wood.
Is that a gavel in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
UGH: that photo comment is a new low.
Ahh....Jessica...
Fuck decorum in courts. Legal arguments are made with my mouth, not with my boobies.
13's a man.
And where is the picture of the offending shorts?
12 = Nick Lachey
What authority do judges have to regulate dress in their courtooms? Is there a statute? Can the court tell you that anything but a navy blue suit is contempt? It seems completely arbitrary.
I wear a panda suit to court and it's never been a problem.
-Sexual Harassment Panda
The propriety of short shorts depends entirely on the physical attributes of the females wearing them (never appropriate for a dude). That being said the judge was probably a jealous old hag who would blind everybody in the room if she donned a pair.
Lat, I think you're forgetting where this took place. The wardrobe out there has always been short shorts in summer, sweats in winter.
Apropos of #17's comment, I present my case for the wearing of short shorts--WHEREVER SHE WANTS.
http://www.microkitten.com/images/prods/Kendra-S/shorts-821-s.jpg
What does it say about my state of mind that I read the article title "Judge jails woman for wearing short shorts" as "Jude NAILS woman . . ." Time to drink.
19 is my new hero.
Why am I so Twenty-FIRSTY???
David Lat, expert on what criminal defends should wear! Are you going to suggest my PD clients start wearing ascots with their jumpsuits? I assure you they all regularly check ATL for sartorial advice.
David Lat, expert on what criminal defendants should wear! Are you going to suggest my PD clients start wearing ascots with their jumpsuits? I assure you they all regularly check ATL for sartorial advice.