drucker Loc: Oregon

The story of the W. Virginia sheriff reminded me of a central Kansas County Judge when I was growing up. Gladys was elected over and over and was well respected especially for her handling of cases involving youth. But the one thing that he had no tolerance for was drunken driving. It was well known that if you got picked up after 2:00 in the afternoon on Friday that you would be staying at the county jail until 10:00 on Monday when her court opened. Her instructions were that there was no bail for that offense and no exceptions.

A Kansas City businessman was traveling Highway 54 and was stopped and charged with drunken driving and transporting an open container. He was taken to the county jail and informed that he would be there until court opened on Monday. He was irate and called his lawyer who tried to get bail set by other judges, but to no avail. In court Monday he was fined the maximum amount plus some additional for contempt of court because of his language. He paid by check and was on his way.

But evidently he hadn't learned a thing — he stopped payment on the check!

A long holiday weekend was coming up, so Gladys waited and issued a bench warrant for contempt of court and had him picked up at work on Friday and transported back to her court. On Tuesday, he was hit again with full fines for contempt of court, transportation expenses, court costs and the additional proviso that all fines would be paid in cash and that he would remain in jail until the fines were paid. Once the fines were paid he was free again — but 275 miles from home — and no vehicle.

wolfd Loc: Vancouver, Canada

A good story. That businessman learned some hard lessons in this event.
Thanks for sharing.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Most excellent.
Like this judge.