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(Aug. 10) -- As Clifton Williams sat in the courtroom in Joliet, Ill., awaiting his cousin's sentencing on drug charges, little did he know he would soon be the one in jail.
As Judge Daniel Rozak sentenced Williams' cousin to two years probation, Williams yawned, an act that earned him six months in jail on contempt charges, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Chuck Pelkie, a spokesman for the state's attorney's office, said the prosecutor in the courtroom that day told him that "it was not a simple yawn -- it was a loud and boisterous attempt to disrupt the proceedings."
Jason Mayfield, the cousin of Williams who was pleading guilty at the time, said it was "not an outrageous yawn." A Tribune review of a decade's worth of contempt-of-court charges reveals that Rozak jails people -- typically spectators whose cell phones go off or who scream or shout profanity during sentencing -- at a far higher rate than any other judge in the county.
There are now 30 judges in the 12th Judicial Circuit, but since 1999, Rozak has brought more than a third of all the contempt charges, records show.
And while it is not uncommon for judges to jail people for ignoring subpoenas or court orders or appearing in court drunk or under the influence of drugs, Rozak's charges tend to involve behavior that would not otherwise be criminal.
Judges have broad discretion under the law, which defines contempt as acts that embarrass, hinder or obstruct the court in its administration of justice or lessen its authority or dignity. As long as the sentence is not longer than 6 months, there is no review of the case -- unless the offender appeals to the judge or a higher court.
"We want judges to be able to manage the courtroom ... but we have some concern that when the contempt is personal, judges might react too harshly," said University of Chicago law professor Adam Samaha. "Contempt that happens right in the judge's face is likely to trigger an emotional reaction."
A Tribune review of a decade's worth of contempt-of-court charges reveals that Rozak jails people -- typically spectators whose cell phones go off or who scream or shout profanity during sentencing -- at a far higher rate than any other judge in the county. There are now 30 judges in the 12th Judicial Circuit, but since 1999, Rozak has brought more than a third of all the contempt charges, records show.
Originally posted by drwizardphd
This case may be a perfect example of how our justice system is inherently flawed.
A Tribune review of a decade's worth of contempt-of-court charges reveals that Rozak jails people -- typically spectators whose cell phones go off or who scream or shout profanity during sentencing -- at a far higher rate than any other judge in the county. There are now 30 judges in the 12th Judicial Circuit, but since 1999, Rozak has brought more than a third of all the contempt charges, records show.
Who really deserves to be a judge? Certainly not Daniel Rozak. Either he was bullied as a kid and has some serious repression issues, or he is just another asshole on a power trip. In any event, this guy should really be on the other side of the courtroom.
Observers describe Rozak as running the type of strict courtroom that was common a few decades ago. Defense attorneys say Rozak is "tough but fair" and runs particularly well-managed trials. Rozak has been elected in 2000 and 2006, both times with recommendations from the state bar association.
"I think he's terrific -- he understands how the world works," said Joliet defense attorney David Carlson. "Some of the most serious felonies we have are handled in his courtroom, so I think there should be a level of seriousness and decorum."
Originally posted by jprophet420
Lets see, the guy is at a proceeding where his cousin is guilty and he yawns at the verdict? Thats the story I read. And the judge is in good standing, and within the law.
Whats the problem again?
Originally posted by MegaCurious
Originally posted by jprophet420
Lets see, the guy is at a proceeding where his cousin is guilty and he yawns at the verdict? Thats the story I read. And the judge is in good standing, and within the law.
Whats the problem again?
The problem is that the judge has a history of doing it, and that he accounts for a third of the contempt charges out of 30 judges. The slightest tongue movement in his courtroom gets 6 months in prison.
That could not be within the law as it is unconstitutional. But, hey, the law and constitution and nonsense is all paper. The real boss is up in a space ship or something directing the show..
Originally posted by daeoeste
reply to post by manbird12000
Ummm...Huh?!? I don't think this poses the judge a problem at all. some small time thug probably does not want to get into further trouble than he already is.