Did a woman just get sentenced for laughing at Sessions???

[Angst]

USA what the hell is this thing showing up in my news feed? What the hell is going on over there?
No article, but I'm on my phone and I can't describe how revolting this is to me. What the bleep???

Edit from what I read she may be facing up to a year in prison for laughing during a political presentation. I'm sorry but... what the..?

 

[Synobun]

The title of that news article is a lie.

The woman laughed and was asked to leave. She refused and made a commotion. She was charged for the commotion.

That being said, I think it's rather unbecoming of a sovereign state to suggest imprisonment because someone shouted a bit in a court. It's unethical and pointless.

 

[Angst]

... alright then.

Stil completely abhorrent to me. I understand she wouldn't leave when all she did was laugh.

 

[Farm Boy]

Welcome to the territory of legal decorum and things like contempt of court. This was a confirmation hearing, not a public debate. This sort of stuff happens all the way down to local board meetings when right-of-ways destroy pensioners' homes. You're not allowed the full battery of free speech everywhere.

 

[Synobun]

Welcome to the terriotory of legal decorum and contempt of court. This was a confirmation hearing, not a public debate. You're not allowed the full battery of free speech. Colbert culture seems viral.

Being barred from the courtroom seems like a more ethical alternative than imprisonment for a year, no?

 

[Angst]

I'm sorry Farm Boy but this neither seems reasonable in regards to resources nor plain fair treatment. I'm not going to accept this.

 

[Farm Boy]

You'd think, maybe. But I'm not suprised that disregarding orders of the chamber while within the chamber is met with the stiff rods. You seem to want to be in a disagreement with me. Why? I've advanced no argument, simply a greeting. And we're the "Muh rights" people.

 

[Broken_Erika]

When you disrespect a member of the government, you disrespect America!

 

[Angst]

You'd think, maybe. But I'm not suprised that disregarding orders of the chamber while within the chamber is met with the stiff rods. You seem to want to be in a disagreement with me. Why? I've advanced no argument, simply a greeting. And we're the "Muh rights" people.

Sorry I admit I'm a little upset. I understand you're just explaining it, not promoting a view. I didn't read you right.

 

[Bugfatty300]

You should subscribe to la less hyperbolic click bait news feed.

 

[Camikaze]

So I don't know what this thread is actually about, but from the replies I gather someone has been imprisoned for contempt of court, arising out of some sort of courtroom outburst?

It's worth bearing in mind that contempt of court is an extremely important sanction. One year of imprisonment for a minor contemptuous outburst seems both a) way too severe a penalty, and b) entirely in keeping with the American approach to incarceration. Typically judges should accept some fairly serious outbursts before threatening or resorting to a custodial sentence for contempt.

 

[Angst]

You should subscribe to la less hyperbolic click bait news feed.

The story is still completely abhorrent.

(And it's really hard evading all hyperbole. Most of what I read is shared by people I personally know that work as politicians or procure balanced essays for the major Danish newspapers. Things slip through.)

 

[Farm Boy]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/03/us/code-pink-sessions-laughter-trial.html?_r=0

 

[Timsup2nothin]

So I don't know what this thread is actually about, but from the replies I gather someone has been imprisoned for contempt of court, arising out of some sort of courtroom outburst?

It's worth bearing in mind that contempt of court is an extremely important sanction. One year of imprisonment for a minor contemptuous outburst seems both a) way too severe a penalty, and b) entirely in keeping with the American approach to incarceration. Typically judges should accept some fairly serious outbursts before threatening or resorting to a custodial sentence for contempt.

Sessions said something so incredibly absurd that a woman who was attending "in silent protest" let out an involuntary guffaw. The attorney general was so demeaned by this that the only way to restore the dignity of his office was to have her thrown in chains.

 

[Angst]

That should still not warrant a year in prison. Muh rights.

Edit this was for Farm Boys helpful article. Still outraged over here. Agree with Tim.

 

[Camikaze]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/03/us/code-pink-sessions-laughter-trial.html?_r=0

Thanks for providing the link.

So it appears that a) it wasn't for contempt, b) it wasn't in court, and c) they haven't been sentenced (one year is simply the maximum possible sentence for the charge).

That should still not warrant a year in prison. Muh rights.

Lots of crimes have a very wide array of sentences. Often minor crimes will have a maximum of one or two years imprisonment, but this maximum will essentially never be exercised, and most offenders will just be fined. The wide range of possibilities is essentially to give latitude for dealing with extreme cases.

 

[Angst]

Thanks for providing the link.

So it appears that a) it wasn't for contempt, b) it wasn't in court, and c) they haven't been sentenced (one year is simply the maximum possible sentence for the charge).



Lots of crimes have a very wide array of sentences. Often minor crimes will have a maximum of one or two years imprisonment, but this maximum will essentially never be exercised, and most offenders will just be fined. The wide range of possibilities is essentially to give latitude for dealing with extreme cases.

I assumed the ceiling was more consistent. I think a 2000 dollar fine is way too harsh. I would just have fined her and barred her from court for a while. A year or two perhaps. It would still be ridiculous. But it's a necessary tool to maintain a stable courtroom. Sure. I'll wait to see the full sentence and probably act out on it depending on its harshness. Imprisonment for what she did is completely out of line to me.

Edit wait it wasnt even in court?
Sigh.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

Here's the article from CBC.ca

 

[Farm Boy]

My link is two days old. I would guess that legislative chambers in session(ha!) have similar protections to thier decorum, like courts, thus welcome to the terriotory of things like, not welcome to.

 

[warpus]

Ms. Fairooz had “let out a loud burst of laughter, followed by a second louder burst of laughter,” the U.S. attorney’s office said in the filing. The police then tried to “quietly escort” Ms. Fairooz from the room, but she “grew loud and more disruptive, eventually halting the confirmation hearing,” the court papers argued.

As she was escorted away, Ms. Fairooz loudly asked, “Why am I being taken out of here?” She also said that the nominee’s “voting record is evil.”

She'll probably get some fine or other, assuming this is her first offense or whatever. I mean I'm not a lawyer or anything so I could be way off, but this seems sensible. I highly doubt she is going to see any jail time.