Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Indiana

unbelievable

Is it unlawful to shake your head in disbelief at a judges ruling. I was in child support court, standing with someone as power of attorney, we were never sworn in (as all others in the courtroom), our case number was called but before we even approached the bench the defendants attorney had started speaking. The case moved so quickly without us having a say and the judgement made on behalf of a dead beat dad. My ONLY reaction was a shake of the head in disbelief. The judge then told me not to shake my head at him. I then stared in shock that he even said that. The next thing I knew he called for the deputy to handcuff me and the judge had me sit in the courtroom handcuffed in front of everyone for two hours, and excused my mom from the courtroom, who by the way has alzheimer's. I'm am still bothered by this incident because I honestly don't understand what I did wrong, and I have never been in trouble with the law. Also having my mother see me handcuffed was very upsetting to her because she didn't even understand what was going on. Please give me answers! Sleepless and shocked in Indiana.


Asked on 6/28/02, 9:49 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Cortson Law Office of Michael D. Cortson, Esq.

Re: unbelievable

What you did is called contempt of court. The trial judge has lots of room to decide what that means and they are rarely reversed. You can sue the judge as he is immune.

As a lawyer I have had myself chewed out on occasion. You are lucky you weren't tossed in jail for the night. Never show disrespect in court. I have had cases where the client was so bad he was shackled to his chair and had duct tape across his mouth. It is the judge's call. Some are nice, most are tough.

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Answered on 6/28/02, 10:14 am


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