Detroit Judge Scolds Student During Courtroom Field Trip, Places Her in Handcuffs, Jail Uniform
Detroit, MI: A controversial lesson in proper courtroom behavior resulted in an educational field trip taking an unexpected turn as a teenage girl ended up in a jail uniform, handcuffs and before a stern-faced judge. The incident took place during a trip organized by a local nonprofit to the 36th District Court in Detroit. Although initially intended to enlighten students about the legal system, the visit landed one 15-year-old girl in a sobering situation due to her “attitude” inside the courtroom.
Tough Lesson in Courtroom Etiquette
The teenagers were part of a three-week program with a local non-profit organization, The Greening of Detroit. Their agenda included various educational field trips, with the court visit providing a chance to observe a real trial and engage with a judge in real-time. However, as Judge Kenneth King addressed the students before the trial commenced, he noticed one girl dozing off.
Autocratically addressing her from the bench, the judge warned, “You fall asleep in my courtroom one more time, I’m going to put you in back understood”. The unsuspecting girl had invited the judge’s wrath not just by falling asleep, though it did contribute to her predicament. Instead, Judge King told reporters that her “whole disposition and attitude” disturbed him, prompting him to take action.
A Controversial Teaching Method
The girl was ordered to change into a jail uniform and spend time in lockup. She was then threatened with being sent to the juvenile detention facility, an experience Judge King starkly detailed before she was set free. The judge explained his rationale, saying, “I wanted to get through to her, show how serious this is and how you are to conduct yourself inside of a courtroom.”
Despite a significant amount of criticism, Judge King stands by his approach. He invoked the “Scared Straight” concept of deterring juvenile offenders by providing firsthand experiences of prison life. To him, this served as a harsh but effective educational moment for the girl and her fellow students.
Castigation Within the Legal Community
However, the judicial figure’s disciplinary methods have sparked debate within the legal community. Legal ethicists and law professors argue that the incident portrays inappropriate use of authority. Alternative methods that could have effectively taught the young girl about proper courtroom etiquette without traumatizing her were suggested. Critics consider the judge’s response as an immoderate form of chastising that was distressing rather than instructive.
The Greening of Detroit responded, expressing their disappointment at how Judge Kenneth King decided to teach the teenager a lesson. Although the group accepts the importance of respect in a courtroom, it believes the judge’s steps were excessive. The nonprofit has been in touch with the girl and her parents, confirming that the situation was distressing for the teenager.
Judge King remains unwavering, believing that his methods can deter youngsters from falling afoul of the law in the future.