Legal News

Judge Dresses Down Inmates, Then Dresses Them Back Up

By Dan Slater

Loyal Law Blog Readers know we’ve got a minor fascination with courtroom attire, whether we’re talking about patent litigators, Supreme Court advocates or even the sartorial styles of the judges themselves.

Today, thanks to Florida Judge Daniel Perry, we get to address the topic as it relates to inmates who appear in court. According to this report in the St. Petersburg Times, Judge Perry, tired of seeing inmates’ underwear sticking out above their low-slung orange pants, delayed court for 1-1/2 hours yesterday and ordered all 61 inmates on his docket back to jail so that those wearing loose bottoms could change into pants that fit.

“I do not want to see these people in here again with their rear ends hanging out of their pants,” said Perry, according to a transcript. “We’re done.”

Perry’s displeasure reportedly drew a quick response from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were reminded of proper sizing methods for inmates, and a selection of spare pants was delivered to the courthouse.

“Walking into court with your pants behind your knees is about the most unfavorable impression you can make,” said defense attorney Rick Terrana to the Times. “It’s like a slap in the face of the court.”

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on September 11, 2008 (boomark / email).