Went to court with someone yesterday and was placed in handcuffs for over 6 hours for not having my shirt tail tucked in. Me with cancer and nerve damage sitting for that long with the convicts. I was plum embarresd. I have lost the respect I had for our system. I hurt so bad in my back last nite, that I couldnt even sleep. That judge is a POS in my book.

WTF. I'm not aware of a law that says you need to tuck your shirt in.

Say What???

Details man. There is more to this story or you have a good lawsuit on your hands.

Wtf???

Me neither,, but it sure did happen. Sit me with the prisoners and had to stay in that seat the entire time. I coulnt believe he was such an A Hole....

Paging Doekiller for input.. What county was this in?

I'd have some body's ass for that.

Was in Baldwin County.. I was there with friend. The judge seen my Tshirt untucked and gave me 5 days for being in contempt of court. Placed me in cuffs from about 9 till 3 in the afternoon without moving before they turned me loose. And thats just the way it happened.

Wait a minute, you weren't even involved in a case? You were just there with someone?

This is some weird chit! I ain't never heard of such. Unless you were causing a scene.

Judges often determine and have a dress code for their courtroom. Was anything posted outside the court regarding attire?

Did he possibly ask for silence, and you didn't hear him?

Did you mumble something under your breath at his decision on your friend's case, and he heard you?

When did this happen, before, during, or after your friend's court case?

God Bless,
David B.

Was not involved in a case and did not cause no scene. He said it was a sign on his door that said tuck it in, but I guess I missed it. Been in court before and did not know they were different. I cant sit that long with the cancer I have in my back, but I had to. Payed the price for it last nite.

Were your hands cuffed for six straight hours?

Wonder if the sign said anything about pants hanging below your arse?..

x2?...Hell That's longer than most criminals

This was before there was ever a case heard. And I never said a word while I was waiting. I know your supposed to respect a courtroom and thats what I was doing. I could understand tucking it in if you had a case.

That's as messed up as a soup sandwich.

Wonder if the local news would like to hear about it. If he's a judge that's elected, he might get a little pain of his own come election day.

Sounds like he felt you were in contempt.

I was sitting for just a few minutes before they cuffed me. I did get a bathroom break while still in cuffs. Worst day I have ever had...

Wait, I'm at a loss for clarity.

Were you actually in the courtroom and the judge, from the bench, said that you were to be cuffed and taken away?

Or were you outside in a hallway waiting on your friend?

I'm not trying to be difficult, but if you're in a courtroom the judge has discretion to set how things will be run in it. That includes apparel on anyone within the room, whether you are appearing before him with a case or sitting in the gallery. Saggin' pants, tucked-in shirts, no crude slogans on shirts, torn/ripped clothing, etc. It may suck but the judge can do that.

Again, not trying to be a hardass but whatever the judge determines goes for everyone in there. Not just those before the bench.

Still don't know if you were cuffed for six hours straight. If so, that's a serious problem deserving of further investigation.

Lotta Judges think they God Almighty

I think a warning would be in order first. If no warning, I think the judge is a grade A jack hole.

Was just in the courtroom and yes it was right at 6 hours in cuffs. I did not know that ever court can make their own rules, but I do now. I still think that its alittle overboard. I get bad muscle spasms due to nerve damage from all the surgeries I have had. That is still no excuse to treat me like a convict...

Somethings not adding up.

Some judges are jackholes. But they still can set requirements for apparel and decorum in their courtrooms, and each is different.


If you spent six hours in handcuffs merely for an untucked shirt contempt citation then you should be filing a formal complaint with someone in the Alabama Bar Association or whomever is over that judge. That's horsecrap.

Did he give you a warning, ask if you'd seen the sign outside the court or anything? No warning? Nothing? Just zipped you off in cuffs for six hours? Were you required to return to apologize to the court or anything or did they just turn you loose?

There is a particular judge in baldwin county that says you have to have your shirt tucked in or he will put you in jail for contempt of court. I've seen it with my own eyes. It's his court room and he does what he wants.

Well, that's apparently the one jmack66 ran into yesterday.

I have known some judges that will throw you out, or verbally discipline some one for inappropriate attire. However, I have never heard of one charging someone with contempt without a warning of some kind.

You ought to see the way some people come to court in Mobile District court. If the judges did that there, everyone would be locked up.

That is why mobile county is the way it is and Baldwin county is the way it is.

If that is exactly how it happened, I would be in touch with a good attorney. If the attorney advised that nothing could be done from a lawsuit standpoint, then I would go to the news, social media, etc. and I would ruin that Judge's name. Hell, I'd go handout fliers in his neighborhood.

Must be the same one... He said after this happened that a persons dress tells whaat kind of person you are. He dont know JACK about me and he is the one that showed his true colors..... I been through more in my life thats made me a better man than he will ever be.

Actually it's the taxpayers courtroom. He just works there.

He actually said he could determine a person's character by their clothing and/or way they dress?

Some, maybe. Not always. That's screwed up.

Did he give you a warning before having you removed? Were you required to return to apologize to the court or anything or did they just turn you loose?

No warning and just finally turned me loose......

I would consult an attorney. That kind of shucks shouldn't fly, assuming everything is exactly how you presented it.

'

Taxpayer? Yes. But the judge supervises it and sets the rules for decorum.

Would love to hear from some jurists and attorneys on here about this.

You and Me both......

Call Alexander shenananaranaranah,that's pretty f'd up,I could see him telling you to leave the room but not holding you in contempt,I'd definitely see what my options were and if I could take some sort of legal action

Backwards ass Alabama bullchit. I'd sue the snot out of the judge. Somebody needs to let him know its not 1945 and needs to come out of the dark ages. How can a judge get away with that silly ass chit? He obviously thinks he us above the law. Wow, total abuse of power.

Exactly, him and Obama must have private conversations cuz both are very confused about their position and responsibility to the people.

I'd be talking to an attorney.

And this situation might be ripe for setting up a sting on the judge and get it on concealed video. No way you could cell phone video it if he got that much sideways over a shirt tail.

Is this the same judge that has people arrested in his courtroom for cell phones ringing?

First I will preface this by saying that I think this is a little extreme, but as to those who say there should have been a warning, the judge would say that there was a warning. It was on the sign posted on the wall.

As to suing the judge, that won't get very far. If I'm not mistaken it would get no where under the doctrine of Judicial Immunity. As Clem said, It's his courtroom and he gets to make the rules of decorum.

Nailed it.

That I wouldn't have a problem with, cell phones etiquette, In my opinion is a major problem in today's society. Put it on vibrate and respect others around you.

Also, didn't Chief Justice Roy Moore of Al, get sued for the 10 commandants hanging on his wall?

I sat in a courteoom a long time ago with a friend. Before court the balif came in and went over the rules with everyone in the room, and cleadly explained the dress code and told people to leave if they didn't meet it, or the judge would find them in contempt when be arrived and saw their attire. About half the room left.

It should be mentioned to every rental firm when we call for reservations this year, BY ALL OF US.
Jmack, if you want me to put the judge's name on here, PM me.

They have no fear when there are few ramifications for them from the citizenry they judge.

I'm sure he was within the law, and a lawsuit would be futile. I would try this asshole in the court of public appeal. Have him on the news, the local FB pages, anything you can do to put the elected officials in the hot seat until this guy is reprimanded or removed from the bench. I agree 100% there has to be a certain decorum in the courtroom, but handcuffing a guy for 6h because he had a shirt untucked is bs and if it was me, I would be starting a revolution.

Sounds like you got caught up in an innocent mistake. It would have been nice if the judge told you to tuck it in.

Being devils advocate though, who would think it would be fine to waltz in a courtroom with out at least tucking your shirt in and looking presentable. I'm sure that judge has seen more than his share of folks coming into court dressed inappropriately and has zero tolerance for any attire he deems unfit.

In the few courtrooms I've been in, I was absolutely stunned at what people wore. I was in the Elmore county courtroom one time to show support for a family member. The folks that were filing in were in all kinds of attire and I remember just shaking my head. I was sitting on the back row with him and all I had on was a casual blue blazer and kahkis and by far the best dressed person there other than the lawyers up front. The judge stopped the proceedings and singled me out and asked if I wanted to come sit up front with the plantiffs or defendants. He thought I was a damn lawyer!!

I'm not saying one should put on the coat and tie but it's not like you're going into the corner gas station and buying a pack of slim jims and a tall boy. It's a courtroom and being neatly dressed and groomed should be mandatory IMO.

I hate that happened to you, man. I really do. I would just chalk it up to one of those life experiences that you can laugh about in due time!

Dr. B

I disagree with your conclusion. Just because its "his" courtroom and he gets to "make rules" to an extent doesn't mean he gets to do whatever he damn well pleases. What if he decides that untucked shirts mean he gets to taze you, anal rape you, beat the hell out of you, or whatever? You still agree it's his rules?

He ought to be able to remove people from the courtroom who can't show respect for the process of taking away someone's freedom/determining someone's innocence. But he doesn't get to just dole out whatever punishment his old redneck ass wants to either. Id like to read where one of these stories ends with a God-complex-judge getting his ass whipped for this type abuse of power.

I would make damn sure if I ever went back into his court room for anything that I would have my dang shirt tail tucked in. You would have 0% chance of winning a frivolous suit against a judge, it's his courtroom.

Typical abuse of power by another government entity... Cuffed for no shirt tucked in is ridiculous.... I don't care if it's a court room or a restaurant...that's pathetic.... Ask the damn man to leave....don't cuff the him... God I hope no one ever sneezes to loud...guess they could end up getting 20 to life for an actual disruption....

Why are you showing up in a court room in a T-shirt??? Getting cuffed for 6 hours may be a little extreme but so is thinking it's ok to go to court in a t-shirt.

I agree I wouldn't wear a tee shirt to a courtroom either but that might have been all the OP or others have to wear. But that's not the issue here. The fact that he was cuffed and place in jail for it is ridiculous.

There's got to be more to the story or this judge is on one big power trip.

Wasnt a regular tshirt like you thinking.... I do not wear button up shirts. this is a colored pull over shirt with a pocket. This is my daily attire, me being a NECK and all. As far as this judge goes, would love to kow what hunting club he was in because I would love to join it. Cause he is still a POS and this was takin it alittle to far. This is exactly whats wrong with our government today.

His name is Judge Wilters and this is the true story. Did not leave anything out cause Im not that way. Did not say anything to him or to ayone else as I was stting by myself. Yes, he is on power trip and anyone that has ever sit in his court will tell you the same. Just your everyday A-Hole......

We need to sign him up for buckmasters. He'll think twice about messin with an aldeer member.

So it was a Polo? I dont agree with what was done to you like I said its pretty extreme. I had to go to court a couple months ago and the lack of respect of the majority of people in there was out of bounds. Wearing sweatpants, ass hanging out, talking, phones ringing and half of them slouched over in seats like they're on the couch at home watching tv. I wouldnt make it as a judge

Guys, this is America. If people want to dress like slobs in court, they have that right. Being able to cuff for any reason is beyond stupid. Kick them out, but do not arrest.

What were the charges against you? Miranda? Were you allowed councel? Were you given a citation? Court date set? I just don't understand how he could imprisson you for a shirt tail? Heck, why not tar n feather, the rack...or just a good ol fashioned firing squad???

Just held inn contempt,,, just held in cuffs for that long and released. Guess he was making a point. Who knows.... Never was officially arrested or frisked. Just hed against my will in cuffs with no breaks except for bathroom. And that was in cuffs to. Never spoke a word to the judge. The Baliff did and finally released me.

That's called being convicted and punished without due process the way I see it. I don't see where one individual can take someone's freedom away for 6 hours, intentionally create an arduous condition with handcuffs (you were obviously not a physical threat), and only release when it suits them, without a process in place.

good luck with a lawsuit; judge wilters and his family are outstanding members of the community and are loved by many. his daddy was one of the best lawmen ever in this county. obide by the rules of the court - judges have a great amount of leeway when it comes to "contempt of court". you ain't seen nothing - sit in judge buddy brackin's courtroom.

He's a Methodist!
That explains everything!

He may be, but he sounds like a dick that needs his ego cut back down to normal. My .02

x2..

Wonder how many democraps with there pants hanging around there azz he's done that 2?..I'm guessing 0

He is elected, he can be replaced. If he wronged you, make it your mission to accomplish that end.
I don't know the man but if he is judging people's character by the type of clothing they are wearing, he needs to reevaluate his methodology. I mean really, who tucks in a polo shirt?

If I was in court I would..

Exactly,,,,, I have lived in this community for 48 years myself. I consider myself an upstanding citizen. I have helped many a person an still do. One thing I can honestly sy though, Im not a dick.

So even if he was wrong. Would this make it okay?

And that is good, I would have mine tucked in as well, BUT not tucking in a shirt shouldn't be grounds for being detained by a power hungry dick of a judge.

He could have easily told Jmack he was not following dress code and ask him to leave his court,how can any of you think it's ok for a judge to cuff a man and hold him for 6 hours because of his shirt being untucked?his rules or not that's the most ridiculous abuse of power I've ever heard of

No, from this story, he sounds like an outstanding douche bag.

I may be wrong, and I can see him having his rules, and ejecting folks for not going by them...

But what chapter and verse is it a law book that a judge can arrest people (illegally) detain people based on the self created violation especially without warning? A judge interprets / adjudicates a law, he doesn't MAKE them up...

That is just bullchit

That's the bs that is wrong with this country. Amazing enough the country is full of pusses that accept being treated like this. Sounds like an overstep of power by a gov official. Respect goes both ways.

Doekiller's silence is deafening. I imagine he sees no positive good from sharing his learned thoughts on the matter, and I don't blame him.

What do you mean here? People should understand that judges can behave this way because they are frustrated with certain elements of our crummy society? I would think judges should have free reign to kick whoever they want out of court such that they can conduct a smooth running, respectful, courtroom environment. But they should not be able to exact painful, punitive, detention at their whim. Holding someone in handcuffs for hours should be reserved for those that represent a physical threat or flight risk. Cuffs are not a punishing device.

x2

How are you gonna take a judge to trial? Much less, find another judge willing enough to piss in another one's sandbox? You're gonna have a line of attorneys ready to attempt to take down a judge. Not to mention one that sounds like he's "in" the system. Even if you do by chance win a lawsuit, you're gonna lose a lot more.

Chit a mobile county judge got away with spanking criminals!. He was found not guilty in court, but confessed in a behind closed door(Shortly after his trial) meeting that he did indeed spank prisoners. That just proves how crooked the system is imo..

First thread I read after being banned for two weeks and I can't even reply the way I want to for fear of being banned again.

What a crock of s***

This story is difficult to believe. Gotta be more to the story

Bull Pucky ...Be totally different if he was going before the judge or something but if he was just sitting in the gallery thats BS.
Be different if he walked in with his pants half off his azz, or at least gotten a warning to correct the issue before he was held in contempt and cuffed.

My wife said it's pretty common for judges to have dress codes in their courtroom. Although she did say arresting him was not the norm they usually send them home or make them leave the courtroom. She also said unless the judge instructed the bailiff to leave the cuffs on it usually up to the bailiffs (or other officer) to take the cuffs off.

Lot of pompous asshat judges out there. At least the ones in Autauga County are.

X3

If he speaks on behalf of the autonomy of the judiciary (supporting the judge), he will be attacked by a large segment of Aldeer posters as being part of the problem. I don't imagine he reads Aldeer to get our opinions of the legal system. On the other hand, if he thinks the judge is wrong and says so, he risks criticizing someone who he may have to practice law in front of someday. I don't know, but I imagine being critical of judges on social media is probably frowned upon by the BAR association. It's a no win situation for him, thus his silence.

Disclaimer: these are strictly my thoughts and am in no way speaking on behalf of our resident lawyer.

he WAS NOT arrested. He was ILLEGALLY detained. He was not cited, given mirnda...

10-4, gotcha. I understand what you mean now.

You've never been in them obviously

Sorry for the wrong word. You don't have to be arrested to be placed in cuffs. Yes his situation sounds wrong and I would be mad as hell too. He may have a case too.
Civil Contempt doesn't require an "arrest"
Call the Alabama Hammer

Karma is a real b###h. Hopefully he or his family will need the help of one of the people he treated like s### one day. Maybe he will get a dose of his own medicine on that day.



Agreed. A transgression that mild warrants a warning or perhaps being asked to leave the courtroom since he was not directly involved with the case. But locked in a holding cell and spending 6 hours in handcuffs for an untucked polo shirt is ridiculous. Just because you are in a position of authority where you can get away with doing something like that doesn't mean you are right in doing it.

No I havent. However, not sure what you meant. My point was that cuffs should not be used to intentionally make someone physically uncomfortable, or emotionally stressed. Especially without due process for the heinous crime of an untucked shirt. They ought to be used to detain flight risks or restrain knuckleheads from attacking, etc.

Biggest crock of chit i ever heard and i would blast your story on every news outlet and social media site i could.I read up on his sorry ass and seen hes an ex Special Agent for the Fbi and was elected after running unopposed.I understand Judges having strict guidelines about their courtroom but that was way outta line.I went to court a few weeks ago on a criminal trespass case against a guy we caught on our property.The judge came in and told everybody up front her rules.She told everybody that if they had a cellphone and she seen it she would take it and hold it for 24 hours.She also called one nasty girl out wearing spandex pants that looked like they were found in a garbage can and made her leave the courtroom.She came back in after about 10 minutes wearing different clothes.I really hate you had to go through that jmack.I dont see any way of sueing but I'd damn sure tell my story to people that he wouldnt want hearing it.

Whoa, my bad friend, I misread your comment, I agree with what you said just didn't understand the "cuffs are not a punishing device" part. They def. hurt, especially for someone with cancer like the OP. But now reading it again I think I get it ha

As posted earlier:

You all should be mad at the bailiff as he/she is the one responsible for the cuffs being left on.

I seriously doubt the judge ordered the bailiff to leave the cuffs on for the entire time, though I could be wrong.


God Bless,
David B.

Cuffed and held against your will sounds like kidnapping to me!

Gotcha - I probably could have spent more time wording my post more clearly. I was just pissed off and fired from the hip.

Sounds like you were found to be in direct contempt but there has to be more to the story. I know Bob Wilters and I'm not in his fan club but I have a hard time believing you just had on a t-shirt in court and he locked you up for direct contempt. I have only exercised my direct contempt powers twice. Once I was holding a preliminary hearing in a capital murder case and some of the victims family members tried to attack the defendant in open court. I gave them 24 hours. The other time was during an eviction, the defendant did attack the plaintiff and a fight erupted in court. I gave him 5 days. I don't get too worked up about courtroom attire. My pet peeve is people making comments when they walk away from the bench. I've had a few people try to talk themselves into contempt for that.

I wonder how the judge would react if he treated someone like that only to find out the reason their shirt is untucked is to cover a colostomy bag or something along those lines. I know when my dad had to have surgery last year, his kidneys wouldn't function properly for a while. He didn't wear a colostomy bag but it was something similar so he kept his shirt untucked (which is something he NEVER does) to keep people from seeing it. It was none of their business.

Let's just hope he never has to go to court in Baldwin County....you may never see him again....

He is probably our next D.A.
And yes, he has some temper issues.

I had on a colored pull over shirt with a pocket and yes he saw this and said I just earned 5 days in the County Jail. He orderd me to sit with the prisoners and a short time later was placed in cuffs until 3 thet evening. I never spoke a word to him during the entire court. The entire court witnessed this. I was more embarresed than anything.

I have Stage 4 Melanoma Cancer that has progressed to my back, groin, and chest. I am blssed to still be alive. I been through alot of stuff in my life. One thing I dont do is lie. He took this to far and I will not stop putting this anywhere and everywhere I can, so people can see what a fine upstanding judge we have here in Baldwin County.

nope, didn't say if it was ok or not. who am i to "judge" and i'm no attorney or law enforcement official. i do know that this is the south and there are places to show respect: Sunday Service, funerals, weddings and court. i also know that government was required in high school (25+ plus years ago) in baldwin county and one of the things we did was take a field trip to "circus court". we were told to "dress up" - boys in khakis/dockers and a dress shirt and tie; and girls in a dress or skirt/blouse combination.

maybe the court clerk failed to mention the rules of this particular judge's courtroom before the judge entered.

i only mentioned facts for folks not familiar with our local area.

I went to court a few months ago for a traffic ticket and there was a sign outside with some rules on it and one of the rules was shirt tails have to be tucked in, I guess so you couldn't hide a weapon (just a guess) anyway the bottom of sign said failure to follow these rules could result in a contempt of court charge.