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Judges dressing down sloppy jurors and defendants
The Washington Times ^ | 8-1-05 | Metro

Posted on 8/1/2005, 7:04:05 PM by JZelle

CHARLOTTESVILLE (AP) -- Forget about flip-flops in the White House. General District Judge Roger Morton has seen his share of fashion offenses by defendants, including shorts, T-shirts and a sweat shirt with the words "Sex Kitten" on the back. Judge Morton wonders how the courtroom would react if he took to casual clothing. "If I were up there wearing a Jimmy Buffett shirt," he said, "you'd think I was a little off beam." The problem only gets worse in the summer when flip-flops turn into formal footwear and bellies and body jewelry are bared. Judge Morton, who oversees the Culpeper and Madison general district courts, and his colleagues on the bench are taking action against sloppy defendants and jurors by setting dress codes. They aren't alone. In York County, the dress code reads: "Anyone not properly dressed upon arriving in the courtroom may be sent away until properly dressed or may be found in contempt of court and subject to a fine or incarceration or both." Edna DeChristopher, clerk for York's juvenile and domestic relations court, said most inappropriately dressed defendants just get sent home and have their hearings rescheduled.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: casualdress; fashion; flipflops; judge; sexkitten
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Actually, they wear shorts in church now too.
1 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:04:06 PM by JZelle
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To: JZelle

At least they are there.


2 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:06:53 PM by Labyrinthos
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To: JZelle
I suppose my sweat shirt with the Ten Commandments on it would be out of the question.


3 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:08:06 PM by darkwing104 (Let's get dangerous)
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To: JZelle

they need to address this in the workplace too...you wouldn't believe what people are wearing to work these days......short shorts, body piercings, tatoos, flip flops, low neck cams....no bras..(and that's just for the men)....unbelieveable...


4 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:08:31 PM by auto power
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To: JZelle

So I take it the judge wouldn't want me to show up in bike shorts and SPD cleats... eh?


5 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:08:48 PM by bikepacker67
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To: JZelle
My dad told me of a story where he saw a lawyer held in contempt (Federal Court) for wearing corduroy jacket. This was probably 30 years ago.
6 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:10:42 PM by TheOtherOne (I often sacrifice my spelling on the alter of speed™)
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To: bikepacker67

The Social Democrats in Germany had cleats designed for them?


7 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:11:51 PM by StarfireIV (Cleverness is no substitue for true intelligence)
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To: JZelle

THis sucks - I manage to never get seated for a trial by dressing very upscale and conservative. The defence never seems to want me on the jury.

If everybody dresses well, this won't work anymore.


8 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:12:34 PM by ko_kyi
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To: JZelle
"If I were up there wearing a Jimmy Buffett shirt," he said, "you'd think I was a little off beam."

You get paid to be in court - I don't. I certainly wouldn't get upset if a client showed up in shorts and a tshirt. This seems like another case of judges being full of themselves. I can appreciate their line of reasoning, but with all the FTAs out there, they should be happy people are showing up.
9 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:13:34 PM by andyk (Go Matt Kenseth!)
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To: JZelle

"You were serious about that??"

10 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:15:52 PM by Cincinatus (Omnia relinquit servare Republicam)
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To: ko_kyi

"THis sucks - I manage to never get seated for a trial by dressing very upscale and conservative. The defence never seems to want me on the jury. "


--- I bought & wore a "Fry Mumia" shirt just for my jury duty call last month. Somehow, I wasn't selected either.


11 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:17:06 PM by Casekirchen (If allah is just another name for the Judeo-Christian God, why do the islamics pray to a rock?)
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To: JZelle

It's about time. There is a time and place for everything and I've often wondered how a Judge allows such cheap, disrespectful dress in his/her courtroom. We have certain clothing we wear to church. That's it. After all the church and the courtroom are not the beach and park.


12 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:18:11 PM by cubreporter
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To: Cincinatus

ha,ha,ha.... :)


13 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:18:54 PM by cubreporter
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To: JZelle

Why should enslaved, abused jurors have any respect for these judicial tyrants anymore?


14 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:20:51 PM by FormerACLUmember (Honoring Saint Jude's assistance every day.)
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To: JZelle

Shorts in church are tacky and inappropriate. So are jeans in church. So are tank tops in church.


15 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:21:30 PM by Xenalyte (Anything is possible when you don't understand how anything happens.)
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To: JZelle

Just what we need; another judge that thinks he's G_d.


16 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:22:02 PM by numberonepal (Don't Even Think About Treading On Me)
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To: JZelle
Actually, they wear shorts in church now too.

The term "dress and deportment" means almost nothing today. Look how adults attire themselves for all occasions -- work, church, travel, court, weddings, the theater. It's as if we're all at a perpetual clam bake. Disgusting.

17 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:23:59 PM by quark
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To: JZelle

LOL
I wear Levi's, cowboy boots and black T-shirts.
That is my standard apparel and if the judge has a prob with that then tough.

I attended a church one time, seems like they had a problem with my clothing and suggested I wear a suit and tie.

Asked the main church dude if Jesus and God sees and knows everything you do.
He said Yes.
Then I asked, then they see me sitting on the pot in the morning also?
Ugh ugh, Yes.
A responded, Who am I trying to impress by the suit??

Silence.....


18 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:25:21 PM by 76834 (There's nothing wrong with sobriety in moderation.)
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To: andyk

I for one am tired of being forcefed daily visual diets of fat rolls coming out of low-waisted pants on girls ( do they really think it looks good? ), tattoos across the backside/shoulders etc..., body piercings, moppy hair on men, stringy hair on girls, sagging cargo shorts, spaghetti strap shirt with bras showing, men underarm hair, and FLIP-FLOPS (#1) in places you should see them like places of business, restaurants etc...

I think they can spare a few minutes and dress for the occasion and not like thay are going to a beach or tattoo parlor.


19 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:25:22 PM by One Proud Dad
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To: ko_kyi
I manage to never get seated for a trial by dressing very upscale and conservative.

Works for me too. I was excused from a cocaine trafficking trial (maybe I didn't relate well to the defendants) and a civil lawsuit in which the plaintiff showed up on crutches with a Queen Anne collar. It was hard to keep from laughing--looked like something out of the Simpsons.

20 posted on 8/1/2005, 7:28:14 PM by DeFault User
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