Woman jailed after cell phone disrupts courtroom

Charlotte Observer ^

[Stew Padasso]

Woman jailed after cell phone disrupts courtroom

CHARLESTON - A cell door slamming might be the best ring tone for cell phones that go off in a Charleston judge's courtroom.

Lashenda Floyd, 25, found that out last week, earning the distinction as the first person in Charleston to spend the night in the slammer on a contempt charge when her phone rang in Circuit Court Judge Markley Dennis' courtroom.

Floyd was at a sentencing hearing in a murder conviction when her cell phone broke the silence of the moment. Floyd spent the night in jail. Dennis summoned her to court the next day.

She apologized and pleaded with Dennis to send her home to her three school-age children. But Dennis would have none of it. He told Floyd she would have to spend Friday in jail, too.

[poet]

Hmm, If she had murderd someone, the judge would have probably released her.

[TopQuark]

We revolted against taxation by the British and presently allow a megalonomic judge to JAIL for not switching the phone off. Nice people we are.

[Ditter]

That punishment was a little harsh but I'll bet it doesn't happen again in his courtroom. A phone rang on the back row of the movie theatre the other night. The man in front of me went all to pieces & got up & started back to find it. That was a bit over the top too.

[Consort]

Does she also use her cell phone while she's driving those three school-aged children around?

[rmmcdaniell]

We revolted against taxation by the British and presently allow a megalonomic judge to JAIL for not switching the phone off. Nice people we are.

Who are we? Those people died out 200 years ago. WE on the other hand were born into the bondage of post-new deal America.

[Bobby777]

there used to be a saying on FreeRepublic:

"All that is not mandatory is illegal"

criminalize and tax / fine everything ... not

[Batrachian]

Very bad. I always prefer breaking wind in these special moments. I usually tank up on refried beans the night before.

[Clara Lou]

Can you read? R-E-S-P-E-C-T (for the law, for others... you know)
Good for the judge.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Wow.

Was this person warned in advance about things like this? Was this her second offense?

Otherwise, I think the judge overreacted. A fine would have made more sense.

[Allegra]

That sounds like a pretty heavy penalty, but those cell phones are annoying.

I think New York City passed an ordinance where people are fined for letting their cell phones go off in theaters. I like that one. They REMIND you before live theater performances to turn those things off (and I always check, even though I know I turned it off) and still there's always at least one idiot whose phone goes off during the show. I've even seen people ANSWER the calls and walk out of the theater while yakking away on it.

If you can't be without your precious phone for three hours, don't go to events where they'll annoy people. It's that simple.

[Consort]

Order in the court.

[takenoprisoner]

A whole new meaning for "cell" phone has been advanced.

[rockfish59]

Can you hear me now?

[rockfish59]

lol! =)

[RightOnline]

For all those here applauding this power hungry little judge............think really hard about what you're applauding.

If this pissant tyrant can show me a law on the books, then he can talk about putting my ass in jail. If not, God help 'im.

[waterstraat]

She got what she deserved. Those who dont think so, just try being a judge, or think of being on trial yourself, and having a hundred cell phones going off during YOUR!!!! trial. How many of you want cell phones going off every few minutes during your own trial or sentencing?

[Hildy]

Cell phones are such a part of our lives now that sometimes we just innocently forget we have them on. I think this was a grossly unfair punishment for this Mother.

[TopQuark]

I can see that you read very well. Thinking and feeling is, of course, another matter altogether.

I am deeply disturbed by the lack of civility in our society and spoke on that issue here, often opposed by a great numbers of FReepers. I would be delighted if the judge has punished a person that, indeed, pays no respect to the public and the court. A fine would be great: it would teach a lesson and send a message.

But JAILING for that transgression? Only the Nazis and Russian cmmies could fall so low. Your remark shows why both of these types of thugs came and held power: they were supported by people like you, who appear to have no sence of measure when it comes to power.

Shame on the judge. Shame on me. Shame on all of us in this country for making this possible.

[Ditter]

Lets not f*art around Clara Lou, she tough. LOL (just kidding CL)