Arrested for stapling my fine to copy of ticket

[Big0range]

State of Florida. I was fined $150 + costs ($4) after a judge found me guilty of going EIGHT miles over the speed limit, after I had contested a ticket for traveling 87 in a 70 (I admitted to doing 78) (original fine on ticket, $145). When I sent in my personal check to pay the fine, I stapled the check to a copy of the ticket, using in excess of 16 staples. HOWEVER, the check is completely legible - transit #, account #, check #, amount, date, payee, and signature. Also, on the "FOR" line in the lower left hand corner of the check, I wrote the explicit version of "a f**king a**hole". The judge's name appears nowhere on the check or any document mailed with the check. There is money in the account to cover the check. The check was never presented for payment. Instead the judge had me arrested, held for $2500 bail, and charged with Willful Indirect Criminal Contempt. I don't see the contempt charge standing, because I've not once refused to pay the fine. When this is dismissed, do I have legal recourse against the judge, perhaps for abuse of authority; or is there merit to the contempt charge?

 

[lawrat]

I am a law school graduate. What I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.

Sounds like he got up on the wrong side of the bed.

Okay, two things:

Doesn't sound like merit, but look it up for yourself:

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Index&Title_Request=XLVI#TitleXLVI

As to him, contact the State Bar Association and ask for their ethics area/pamphlets.

 

[HomeGuru]

Nah, the judge is full of BS. Ask for a hearing and then in court tell the judge in person exactly what you wrote. That will be your testimony. Be sure you get sworn in first.

 

[TimC]

The last I knew, being an idiot was not illegal. I think you should state this to the judge as your defense.

If the judge gets defensive, just hold your hands up to your cheeks, stick out your tongue, and say something like "neener neener neener!", or say "What are you going to do about it, fatboy?" or something equally mature.

I think you will get more bargain for your fine dollars with this approach.

 

[LegalBeagle]

Too funny..

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

GESTURE TO JUDGE GETS MAN WEEKEND BEHIND BARS

When Alan D. Biggs decided to tell a judge in Missouri that his honor was No. 1, he accompanied the sentiment by holding up a finger.

Unfortunately, it was the middle one.

Associate Judge Lewis E. Mallot found Biggs in direct criminal contempt of court for "making a mockery of court proceedings and being disrespectful to the court" by using the gesture.

The incident came as Biggs waited for Mallot to extend for two years the protection order Biggs' former wife got against him last month on grounds that he had beaten her, broken her nose twice, threatened to kill her and harassed her. As Mallot sentenced him to jail for contempt, Biggs said, "I had all I could take." (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)


"You Know You Need A New Lawyer When..."

1. During your initial consultation the lawyer tries to sell you Amway.

2. A lawyre tells you that her/his last good case was a "Budweiser."

3. When the prosecutors see who your lawyer is, they high-five each other.

4. Your lawyer picks the jury by playing "duck-duck-goose."

5. During the trial you catch your lawyer playing her/his Gameboy.

6. Your lawyer asks a hostile witness to "pull my finger."

7. A prison guard is shaving your head.

8. Every couple of minutes your lawyer yells, "I call Jack Daniels to the stand!" and proceeds to drink a shot.

9. Your lawyer frequently gives juror No. 4 the finger.

10. Your lawyer places a large "No Refunds" sign on the defense table.

11. Your lawyer begins closing arguments with, "As Ally McBeal once said ..."

12. Your lawyer keeps citing the legal case of Godzilla v. Mothra.

13. Just before trial starts your lawyer whispers, "The judge is the one with the little hammer, right?"

14. Just before your lawyer says "Your Honor," he/she makes those little quotation marks in the air with her/his fingers.

15. The sign in front of your lawyer's law office reads "Practicing Law Since 2:25 PM."

16. Whenever your lawyer's objection is overruled, he/she tells the judge, "Whatever."

 

[HomeGuru]

Very enjoyable reading.

 

[Big0range]

Seriously

Okay, I'm glad I can provide entertainment for all of you, but does anyone have any serious opinions about this - either the likelihood of conviction or successful retaliatory action against the judge? (I agree that any opinions I get are non-binding and do not constitute legal advice, etc...)

 

[asdf]

No serious help from me. Judges are much more sensitive and caring than normal people and need all the protection they can give themselves. Poor judges, having to put up with mockery and contempt, while sending people to prison or worse. Babies. Arrogant babies.
Let's live in a world that makes it illegal to express yourself, where it's illegal to tell a dirty or ethnic joke.
The "crime" of complaining about the government is in itself a crime.