You misinterpret my words. Humorless is another way of saying uptight, or way too serious.

The defendant didn't strike me as though he was trying to be funny. The judge made herself look like an ass.

As I said, I don't think she really noticed the butt slap. Check her sight angle - over the bench and over the joint podium as well. But the point is that he did something that caused a disruption, which suggested to her -- rightly or wrongly -- that he wasn't taking the matter seriously.

As I also said, I've worked with and known enough judges to have rationally formulated a basis to support my opinion about this. Others are welcome, of course, to formulate their own opinions as well, regardless of personal knowledge (or clairvoyance or obsessive need to always be right).

That said, had someone else in the courtroom taken an action that caused a disruption, the judge also had the right to hold them in contempt.


The ultimate point here is that when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

I thought the guard who was laughing way overmuch was the ass that I could see. Jeez man, do your job. The gesture was slight, it's part of the new vernacular, so to speak.

In visiting a foreign country it really helps to adopt the languages and customs of the host, lest unfortunate misunderstandings ensue.

OK, have it your way.

She never noticed the butt slap.

However, in the small time interval between the butt slap and her response to the individual, she figured out that a butt slap occurred.

Now, in your infinite wisdom, how do you think she got that bit of information? Did she suddenly get clairvoyant and magically realize that the laughter generated was caused by a butt slap that she did not see?

We've already disproved your theory about a recess..........see my previous response that trashed that idea.


You've supported nothing and your work with "enough judges" apparently has failed you.

A courtroom IS a serious place. Again, he was already in trouble for domestic abuse AND breaking parole. When you are facing a judge, it behooves you to at the very least, act as if you are contrite. If you cannot be contrite, act it. I have NEVER been anything but dead serious in a courtroom lest I meet a judge that doesn't share my humor. Outside, I can do a victory dance if I so choose.

He was disrespectful to the process. He didn't behave with the decorum. He chose to behave as though he was on the field scoring a touchdown. As to the judge, so far, she gets to go home to her bed and he gets to spend the night and perhaps more in lockup. So who is looking like an ass?

It might be but it certainly is not how one should behave in a courtroom. Observe the lawyer.

Not in America, it doesn't, apparently. But that is another issue.