Judge Orders Breastfeeding Litigant To Leave Courtroom

Do you think this judge was out of line?

onApril 14, 2016 at 1:14 PM

Ma’am, you need to cover up. For you not to realize that is absolutely ridiculous. Step outside, and cover up right now. Stand up, and go, now.

— North Carolina District Court Judge Peter Knight, in an exchange with Stephanie Rhodus, a litigant who was breastfeeding her eight-month-old son in his courtroom during her appearance in a child custody proceeding.

In a statement given to the Washington Post, Judge Knight said:

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From Pilot and Above The Law

We as a court routinely accommodate women who are nursing, including while they are waiting for a case to be called in the courtroom. However, when a case is called and a party is participating in a formal hearing before the court, all litigants are expected to respect the same rules of procedure, decorum and dress. That was the case here. If breastfeeding accommodations were needed, those certainly would have been made.

Under North Carolina law, a woman may breastfeed in any public or private location, regardless of whether her nipple is uncovered during or incidental to the nursing session.

Staci Zaretsky is an editor at Above the Law. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments. Follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.