Everyone can have a bad day, including judges it seems. U.S. District Court Judge William Shubb threw a bit of a fit when a mobile phone went off during a case. Demanding the phone from the owner he flung it out of the court door whereupon it demised with good grace from the embarrassment of being seen with its owner.
Geeklawyer would like to snigger but he nearly did the same thing in court last week. And then he would have had to defend himself from a contempt charge and even with his Rumpole like skill that would have been a daunting challenge. Or ask Ruthie to defend him. No, he’d rather face an apoplectic judge alone any day.
If you’re daft enough to leave your phone on in court you deserve everything you get. Ruthie once heard a tale of a Crown Court judge who confiscated a barristers mobile phone and dropped it in his glass of water on the bench. The insurance claim must have been interesting: accident or Act of God?
Pfff, that’s a bit harsh old girl. Come on, have you never rushed into a court late? Papers scattering behind you? And too flustered to remember the off switch. We’ve all done it.
As for dropping phones in water, well, the words ‘criminal damage’ spring to mind. Still, given that or a contempt of court charge I know I’d choose: rough justice every time. I’d just tell the insurers I’d dropped it down the toilet.
[…] BTW Ruthie’s phone went off in court. Only loyalty and the fact that his learned friend was on the same side as him prevented him from reminding the judge that contempt of court would be an appropriate rejoinder to such malfeasance. Geeklawyer also took the opportunity to record a test podcast with her to see if his fear of her aural unattractiveness was well based. He is undecided about this and is looking to see whether there is any interest from readers in him publishing the podcast. If you want to hear it please indicate so in the comments or by contacting me by email. […]