"I'm not going to accept these plea negotiations. This isn't a joke."
June 10, 2013 11:42 PM Subscribe
On Monday June 10, Judge Kathleen McHugh did not find it funny when former NFL receiver Chad Johnson, in court for violating probation in a domestic violence case, slapped his attorney on the backside.
"I don't know that you're taking this whole thing seriously. I just saw you slap your attorney on the backside. Is there something funny about this? The whole courtroom was laughing. I'm not going to accept these plea negotiations. This isn't a joke."
Judge McHugh sentenced Mr. Johnson to 30 days in jail. Local coverage.
Chad Johnson, formerly known as Chad Ochocinco, is a former star NFL receiver. He was selected for the Pro Bowl six times during his career. On August 11, 2012, he was arrested for domestic battery involving his then wife, Evelyn Lozada. He pleaded no contest in September 2012 and received no jail time. In May of this year a warrant for his arrest was issued for failing to meet with his probation officer and for failing to show that he had completed the Batterers Intervention Program.
Chad Johnson, formerly known as Chad Ochocinco, is a former star NFL receiver. He was selected for the Pro Bowl six times during his career. On August 11, 2012, he was arrested for domestic battery involving his then wife, Evelyn Lozada. He pleaded no contest in September 2012 and received no jail time. In May of this year a warrant for his arrest was issued for failing to meet with his probation officer and for failing to show that he had completed the Batterers Intervention Program.
This post was deleted for the following reason: I'm sorry but this doesn't seem to be going so well. Maybe a post about judges' attitudes to behaviour in courtrooms could benefit from a slightly broader approach? -- goodnewsfortheinsane
Child, please!
posted by KingEdRa at 12:04 AM on June 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by KingEdRa at 12:04 AM on June 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
The man did not meet the terms of his probation.
In court, there is a certain etiquette which he violated. What would be normal in a locker-room is not normal in a court-room.
One does *not* irritate the judge.
You can feel its vindictive or not, but the judge will enforce respect for the proceedings. Any decent lawyer will tell you how to act in court, including what not to wear, and what not to do or say, for this very reason.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 12:09 AM on June 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
In court, there is a certain etiquette which he violated. What would be normal in a locker-room is not normal in a court-room.
One does *not* irritate the judge.
You can feel its vindictive or not, but the judge will enforce respect for the proceedings. Any decent lawyer will tell you how to act in court, including what not to wear, and what not to do or say, for this very reason.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 12:09 AM on June 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
esprit de l'escalier: The plea sentence plus 30 days for contempt would be the way to go here. The extended sentence was essentially given for disrespectful conduct in the courtroom, which is textbook contempt anyway.
posted by jaduncan at 12:12 AM on June 11, 2013
posted by jaduncan at 12:12 AM on June 11, 2013
One does *not* irritate the judge.
That's exactly the kind of wrong-headed attitude about authority that needs to be stamped out. What makes a person in authority respectable is an adherence to principle. For this judge to play the psychologist and interpret a moment of levity (from a man whose life is falling apart no less) makes her seem capricious and it makes it almost impossible to respect her in her position.
posted by esprit de l'escalier at 12:23 AM on June 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
That's exactly the kind of wrong-headed attitude about authority that needs to be stamped out. What makes a person in authority respectable is an adherence to principle. For this judge to play the psychologist and interpret a moment of levity (from a man whose life is falling apart no less) makes her seem capricious and it makes it almost impossible to respect her in her position.
posted by esprit de l'escalier at 12:23 AM on June 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
This is essentially a tabloid update. Unless the idea is to spawn a really fruitful conversation on what exactly I don't know. I think it's a little much to judge Chad Johnson the human being, much less the Puritanical quality of certain legal traditions, on a butt-slap. Maybe he's a really bad guy. Great, he slapped his lawyer's backside. Fascinating. I guess I just don't get what there is to talk about.
posted by phaedon at 12:25 AM on June 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by phaedon at 12:25 AM on June 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
The FPP could have at least included a best-of-touchdown-dances YouTube link or something.
posted by DoctorFedora at 12:33 AM on June 11, 2013
posted by DoctorFedora at 12:33 AM on June 11, 2013
slapped his attorney on the backside
The video shows him standing more or less still and patting his attorney on the behind as I have seen NFL players do to each other since forever. I imagine his attorney made a good point and that was his way of saying "atta boy".
But the blond, white woman needed to show the large scary black man that she is the one with the law degree and political connections.
posted by three blind mice at 12:36 AM on June 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
The video shows him standing more or less still and patting his attorney on the behind as I have seen NFL players do to each other since forever. I imagine his attorney made a good point and that was his way of saying "atta boy".
But the blond, white woman needed to show the large scary black man that she is the one with the law degree and political connections.
posted by three blind mice at 12:36 AM on June 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
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posted by esprit de l'escalier at 11:55 PM on June 10, 2013