Give Thanks for Your Freedom, Son, Or I'm Sending You to Jail

I have a feeling this story will soon be national news. From the NMissCommentor, a legal blog in Mississippi:

[Attorney] Danny Lampley . . . was jailed by Chancery Court Judge Littlejohn in Tupelo for failing to recite the pledge of allegiance in open court today.  Danny was one of the local lawyers who represented the plaintiff in the Pontotoc school prayer case years ago, working with the ACLU and People for the American Way.

I'm informed that Danny rose and was respectful, but did not recite the pledge…

The order incarcerating him provides:

BE IT REMEMBERED, this date, the Court having ordered all present in the courtroom to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegience, and having found that Danny Lampley, Attorney at Law, failed and refused to do so, finds said Danny Lampley to be in criminal contempt of court.

The order states that for this, Danny Lampley "is hereby ordered to be incaraerated in that Lee County jail." The order continues:

IT IS FURTHER ORDED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED, that Danny Lampley shall purge himself of said criminal contempt by complying with the order of this Court by standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in open court.

I'd say it's time Judge Littlejohn turned in his robe. This is just astonishingly ignorant, arrogant, and thuggish. Oh, and illegal. It's also way illegal. Like, not even close.

Comments

[johnl]

Do you need to be citizen to practice law?

[Colonel_Angus]

As it turns out there are a lot of situations where a judge can be considered negligent and removed from the bench. This is probably one of those. It reminds me of that thug judge in the movie Breaker Breaker.

(I hope I didn't just commit libel.)

[d hollis]

"They" dont care what the law says. There is one law for "them" and one law for us.

[Judge Dredd Littlejohn]

I'd say it's time Judge Littlejohn turned in his robe. This is just astonishingly ignorant, arrogant, and thuggish. Oh, and illegal. It's also way illegal. Like, not even close.

I never broke the law! I AM THE LAW!

[King Louis the Littlejohn]

La loi, c'est moi!

[Eryk Boston, Esq.]

The truly offensive part of this tale will be number of "patriots" who will defend this disgrace.

[Aresen]

If this is not a hoax, it is genuine, pentagon-grade stupid.

Hell, it's Congress-grade, or Biden-grade stupid.

[Existential Realist]

Agreed. An extreme example of going full Biden.

[GoNavy]

...of going full Biden

Most excellent!!!!!!!!!

I just had to go smack my Wilmington Blue Rocks Joe Biden bobble-head after reading that.

Regards,

GoNavy
Wilmington, DE (once upon a time)

[John C. Randolph]

"Judge" Littlejohn has violated his oath of office, and should be disbarred. He is not a man of the law. He is nothing but an apparatchik.

-jcr

[Jeff]

Oh, wow. I know Danny. This is so fucked.

[Ken Shultz]

Oh, for cryin' out loud!

Is Judge Littlejohn up for reelection or somethin'?

[Aresen]

I have to call this hearsay, but one of the commenters on the linked site wrote:

"You'd think Littlejohn ought to be removed from the bench. But he's running unopposed for re-election.

[Ken Shultz]

If he were running against somebody, it would make more sense.

I'd understand it from purely strategic standpoint if he were running against somebody--there probably isn't a lot you can do to endear yourself to voters in Mississippi more than imprisoning someone associated with the ACLU for not saying the pledge of allegiance.

...not that there's any reason to assume this judge is in any way sensible. It would just be easier to understand if there were something more behind it than just sheer ignorance, arrogance, and being thuggish.

This judge should be brought up on some kind of charges or at least sued or something. I'm no lawyer, but "false imprisonment" sounds about right.

[ZungTee]

Wow, now here we have a kangaroo court judge in need of a serious beat down!

http://www.privacy-online.at.tc

[Dustin Meano]

Wow, now here we have a kangaroo court judge in need of a serious beat down!

http://www.privacy-online.at.tc

[Hugh Akston]

anon-bot is correct, as usual. So correct that we can probably forgive his racist disregard for our benighted cousins in the land downunder.

[anarch]

...who have the magistrate in their pocket?

[EscapedWestOfTheBigMuddy]

Stop jumping to conclusions.

[Episiarch]

I want to see this judge disbarred for this, but why do I feel like he'll get a slap on the wrist...at most?

Oh, because he's a judge. And probably friends with everyone in that area who would be at the bar association hearing.

[SIV]

I'm hoping the Feds hang this judge,

And if I was in charge, none of what he is alleged to have done would even be crimes.Except for judges who routinely sentenced defendants to hard time for similar offenses.

[Episiarch]

Yeah, I heard about that guy. Very much a Spitzer-like case, and at least the Feds are spending some time going after corrupt judges, though of course what he has been arrested for shouldn't be a crime in the first place.

[Atanarjuat]

Last April, Ramos was arrested by Atlanta cops for working at a strip joint without an adult entertainment permit (she unsuccessfully attempted to flee the establishment, according to court records). That charge was later dismissed.

Pretty much unrelated, but must we license everything!?

[mr simple]

Damn your brevity. Seriously, though, it is ridiculous.

[Atanarjuat]

I'll take that as a compliment, coming from a guy called mr simple.

[mr simple]

arrested by Atlanta cops for working at a strip joint without an adult entertainment permit

What the fuck do you have to do to get a permit for that? What kind of test do you have to pass? I guess the government is just making sure no one gets hurt by amateur exotic dancing. I'm sure Olbermann would say she's not a real stripper because she doesn't have a license.

[Atanarjuat]

And if you call for removing the license requirement do the statists scream, "Think of the children!!!"?

[oncogenesis]

Compulsory pledges are the best and most significant!

[Aresen]

It is compulsory to be free.

[Hugh Akston]

unless it is forbidden.

[IceTrey]

only those things which are permitted are not forbidden.

[gucci messager]

unless it is forbidden.

[Robert]

I hear that for the next case, they're playing Simon Says. And seating a jury via musical chairs.

[Pham Nuwen]

*facepalm*

My god. I've got to get out of this state.

[Pham Nuwen]

Then call down an orbital nuke strike.

[Pham Nuwen]

It's the only way to be sure.

[Pope Jimbo]

Yeah sure this judge is going to face some repercussions for this. NOT.

Remember the folks who are going to sit in judgement on this judge are all judges themselves.

Do you really think they are going to vote to circumscribe their power and privileges? Or are they going to say that the next time a f-ing judge tells you to recite the pledge of allegiance, you will answer with a hearty "How Loud Sir!"?

[John C. Randolph]

If a judge tried to force me to recite the Pledge of Obedience, I would recite the first amendment instead.

-jcr

[Pham Nuwen]

Ha! I can totally see that scenario unfolding!

"You may have defeated me this time, JCR! But I'll be back! Do you hear me?!? I'll be back!"

[anarch]

And/or the judge will say "Do I look to you like Congress [and now I see a pun coming - or two]?

[Brandon]

"No, sir. At the moment you look more intelligent. Can I sit down now?"

[Ken Shultz]

The judge seems to have broken the pledge too, doesn't he?

Isn't there something in there about "liberty and justice for all"?

[Grizzle]

You should hire a lawyer and take his/her advise.

[Grizzle]

I am not a lawyer, but in my lay person's take, judge Littlejohn is suborning perjury. Some handcuffs and 12 hours with Tyrone in the holding cell are in order, while some sharp legal minds figure this out.

[heller]

I think Judge Littlejohn is compensating for his little john.

[Big Brother (and growing)]

Patriosm is your duty an a American. You people wanted it this way.

You are very patriotic every April 15.

http://youareproperty.blogspot.....ed-it.html

[?]

Oh, and illegal. It's also way illegal. Like, not even close.

Sort of.

Because he did it to a lawyer.

This kind of shit gets shat at a non-"officer of the court" about every .42 seconds, and no one gives a fuck?not lawyers, especially. (Ask one to define "contempt" for you.) This, some of the guy's bros might pitch a little bitch about. So it's illegal.

Sort of.

It's not like the judge will get in actual trouble, like a non-lawyer who extorted armed goons into kidnapping another dude would. He'll probably get to retire early on about a hundred grand a year of stolen money.

[rhea]

That's what I call power-tripper and an arrogant Littlejohn! I hope that while reciting the pledge of allegiance, he's also doing what it says.

We help Americans move to Asia for jobs and prosperity. Learn more at http://www.pathtoasia.com

[bmp1701]

Asia, hmm? Is it BYO Ping-Pong Balls, or do you provide them?

[Atanarjuat]

Oh come on, don't give me the jobs and prosperity bullshit, Americans want to move there to get some hot Asian ass.

[capitol l]

Maybe the judge is a socialist?

[Johnny Longtorso]

A black judge from western Pennsylvania rejected a plea agreement for a man accused of fighting with police during a traffic stop saying it was "a ridiculous plea that only goes to white boys."

[Alan Vanneman]

Crime
Black Judge Rejects Plea Deal for 'White Boy'

Posted on October 6, 2010 at 1:12pm by Jonathon M. Seidl Print ? Email ? PITTSBURGH (The Blaze/AP) ? A black judge from western Pennsylvania rejected a plea agreement for a man accused of fighting with police during a traffic stop saying it was "a ridiculous plea that only goes to white boys."

Allegheny County Judge Joseph Williams, who is black, claimed on Tuesday that a black defendant in the same situation would not have been treated as leniently.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says Williams made the comments after a prosecutor proposed three months of probation for a white man with no criminal record who agreed to plead guilty to disorderly conduct.

Williams recused himself after making the comments and a white judge accepted the plea agreement for 24-year-old Jeffery McGowan, who had faced charges including aggravated assault.

Has the Mississippi judge recused himself and has an intelligent judge let the dude out of jail?

[Azathoth]

Not sure about Williams--apparently he also refused to accept a black defendants' request for a re-trial after he drew an all white jury.

Perhaps he's really after equailty before the law--his only misstep seems to be using the term 'white boys'.

[CrackertyAssCracker]

I don't think his finding of fact in ridiculous on it's face. I'm pretty anti-PC sensitive too.

[me]

The law is, an this should be clear to everyone by now, what those with the power to enforce it say it is.

[Rich]

I trust the judge has all the reciters say "one nation *PAUSE* under God".

[Woodrow]

Judges are the craziest people in the legal profession. Anyone who ever went to Law School knows this.

[AlmightyJB]

Dude, it's Mississippi. I mean, this shouldn't be all that surprising.

[rac]

Tupelo my friend! Home of The King. I believe that the judge should be able to force people to sing Hound Dog. The Pledge of Allegiance? Not so much.

[TrickyVic]

""Dude, it's Mississippi. I mean, this shouldn't be all that surprising.""

Not at all.

[Jaymes]

The US is a free country. You have the freedom to say the pledge, to express your freedom. Everyone should be required to say is because we are otherwise disrespecting those who died to make use free.

[Richard]

Not sure if serious...

[EscapedWestOfTheBigMuddy]

Shorter Jaymes:

You can't be free because some brave people died to make you free.

[Moz]

"A system which secures the right to proselytize religious, political, and ideological causes must also guarantee the concomitant right to decline to foster such concepts. The right to speak and the right to refrain from speaking are complementary components of the broader concept of 'individual freedom of mind.'" - Chief Justice Burger, Wooley v. Maynard, 430 U.S. 705

[Barely Suppressed Rage]

Take a look at some of the comments about this incident at the Smoking Gun page.

Amazing how some of those commentors totally fail to see the irony in their statements. America is a free country where speech is protected, so if you want to be here and you value that freedom, well then dammit, when a judge tells you to recite the pledge, you by God damn well do it!

[CrackertyAssCracker]

Tar and feathers are called for. As well as a jailbreak.

[Rrabbit]

This has to be a hoax, right?
*ugh*, it isn't.

I think the judge should be charged with
false imprisonment and coercion.

[Mark S.]

Aha! An enemy of the state! THIS is exactly why we need political re-education centers! I am so thankful that we have little Fuhrers like Judge Littlejohn to stamp out the traitorous spies hiding among us!!!! Be vigilant and report any subversive activity to your local political commissar.

[????? ??????]

Thanks