Names You Might Not Want to Call a Judge in Court
Sunday’s Judicial Notice (David Lat) reminds us that lawyers shouldn’t call the judge “honey.” But there are other names you might also want to avoid—perhaps even more so—as we learn from Tuesday’s opinion by Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice Raheem Mullins in Johnson v. Superior Court:
As a self-represented party, the plaintiff filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, alleging issues with his medical treatment while in the custody of the respondent, the Commissioner of Correction. After it addressed various pretrial motions, the trial court conducted the first day of the habeas trial on April 4, 2023.
On May 4, 2023, the trial court resumed the plaintiff’s habeas trial. The hearing was held virtually, with the plaintiff, counsel and the witnesses all appearing onscreen. Several witnesses were present virtually and were prepared to testify. After the court asked the parties to identify themselves, the plaintiff identified himself as “Gregory Johnson, man. Everybody know[s] who I am. I don’t got time for that.” Thereafter, the following colloquy occurred:
“The Court: Mr. Johnson, I’m going to tell you right now. You’ve been here. You know you need to identify yourself.
“The [Plaintiff]: I identified myself (indiscernible).
“The Court: Just do what you need to do, Mr. Johnson.
“The [Plaintiff]: I identified myself already, man. I ain’t got time for that….
“The Court: All right. Mr. Johnson, one more, and the hearing is over for the day. You understand? You’re not at—
“The [Plaintiff]: I don’t care.
“The Court: You’re not out in the yard, Mr. Johnson—
“The [Plaintiff]: I don’t care.
“The Court: —with your buddies….
“The Court: [The plaintiff], clearly, has forgotten the decorum of the courtroom. It’s a regular context with [the plaintiff’s] believing he is talking to one of his friends in the yard as opposed to the court.
“The [Plaintiff]: I’m talking to Stephen—
“The Court: The matter is canceled.
“The [Plaintiff]: —a house nigger.
“The Court: The matter is canceled for today. I will ask the caseflow coordinator to reschedule the next day of this matter in ninety days.
“The [Plaintiff]: Care about you. You’re a house nigger.
“The Court: Maybe [the plaintiff] will remember his decorum in the court. I’m sorry.
“The [Plaintiff]: You’re a house nigger.
“The Court: What was that, Mr. Johnson? You got something to say?
“The [Plaintiff]: You are Stephen from—
“[The Respondent’s Attorney]: Oh my God.
“The [Plaintiff]: You are Stephen from the movie Django. I am [going to] go [to] the Department of Justice [to] investigate. You are corrupt. You can kiss my ass.
“The Court: Okay.
Article from Reason.com
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