Judge of the Day

Judge of the Day: Profane Justice in Cincinnati

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Remember that McDermott Will & Emery partner who was disciplined for telling a Miami bankruptcy judge she was “a few French fries short of a Happy Meal”? We wonder what he’d say about this breach of civility from the other side of the bench:

A Hamilton County Municipal Court judge told an angry defendant “F— you,” an almost unheard of breach of courtroom etiquette.
Judge Ted Berry was responding to the same phrase that was uttered at him by Ivan Boykins, a defendant Berry had just sentenced to spend 30 days in jail after Boykins complained that he didn’t want probation because it would prevent him smoking marijuana.
During sentencing, Littner suggested probation, prompting the defendant to comment, “No. I don’t want to do probation. I’m going to keep smoking,” according to a transcript of the hearing.
Berry instead imposed a 30-day jail term.
That’s when Boykins got really mad, prompting the foul language exchange.

Perhaps more fascinating than Judge Berry’s deployment of the f-bomb in open court is Boykins’ bid to avoid probation by threatening to engage in more illegal activity. We’re shocked that this wasn’t successful.
No word on whether Berry will face repercussions for his colorful language.

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