Is That My God? (1 of 3)
Series: Genesis and Nahum
Robert Dawson
Nahum 1:1-15
In the American legal system, it is a given that some judges are more severe in their sentencing than others. Some judges are more intimidating than others. Judge Daniel Rozak, a Circuit Judge from Will County, Illinois, may be the only federal judge to sentence a man to prison because of a yawn.
Back in August of 2009, Clifton Williams attended his cousin's hearing. His cousin pled guilty to a felony drug charge. Judge Rozak passed a sentence requiring two years of probations. When the Judge delivered the sentence, Williams let out an audible yawn.
Judge Rozak, in describing the incident, said that Williams ''raised his hands while at the same time making a loud yawning sound.'' He felt this was a disrespectful interruption of his court and sentenced Williams to six months in jail-the maximum penalty for contempt of court without a jury trial. Felony drug charge, two years' probation. Disrespectful and incriminating yawn, 6 months jail time.
This judge has a history of flexing his judicial muscle. A Chicago Tribune investigation revealed that Rozak has charged several court spectators with contempt when their cell phones rang in the middle of a session. (I may have done the same). Out of all the contempt charges filed by the 30 judges on that Judicial Circuit from 1999-2009, Judge Rozak was responsible for more than a third of all contempt charges. [''Shut Yer Mouth: Man Gets Six Months for Yawning,'' nbcnewyork.com (8-11-2009)]
Judge Rozak may be a very fine judge, I do not know his judicial record nor am I a legal expert, but it is stories like this, where it appears the justice system is abused by those sworn to uphold it, that cause people to doubt whether justice can be found.
It's not that they question the system itself but the character of those in positions of authority and power. If you don't trust those in authority and tasked with dispensing justic ...
Series: Genesis and Nahum
Robert Dawson
Nahum 1:1-15
In the American legal system, it is a given that some judges are more severe in their sentencing than others. Some judges are more intimidating than others. Judge Daniel Rozak, a Circuit Judge from Will County, Illinois, may be the only federal judge to sentence a man to prison because of a yawn.
Back in August of 2009, Clifton Williams attended his cousin's hearing. His cousin pled guilty to a felony drug charge. Judge Rozak passed a sentence requiring two years of probations. When the Judge delivered the sentence, Williams let out an audible yawn.
Judge Rozak, in describing the incident, said that Williams ''raised his hands while at the same time making a loud yawning sound.'' He felt this was a disrespectful interruption of his court and sentenced Williams to six months in jail-the maximum penalty for contempt of court without a jury trial. Felony drug charge, two years' probation. Disrespectful and incriminating yawn, 6 months jail time.
This judge has a history of flexing his judicial muscle. A Chicago Tribune investigation revealed that Rozak has charged several court spectators with contempt when their cell phones rang in the middle of a session. (I may have done the same). Out of all the contempt charges filed by the 30 judges on that Judicial Circuit from 1999-2009, Judge Rozak was responsible for more than a third of all contempt charges. [''Shut Yer Mouth: Man Gets Six Months for Yawning,'' nbcnewyork.com (8-11-2009)]
Judge Rozak may be a very fine judge, I do not know his judicial record nor am I a legal expert, but it is stories like this, where it appears the justice system is abused by those sworn to uphold it, that cause people to doubt whether justice can be found.
It's not that they question the system itself but the character of those in positions of authority and power. If you don't trust those in authority and tasked with dispensing justic ...
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