Legal Research

Colorado Judge Imposes "Music Immersion" Penalties in Noise Cases

By David Badertscher, PLL

Source: Crime and Justice News, January 21, 2009

"When teenagers land in front of Municipal Judge Paul Sacco of Fort Lupton, Co., for blasting their car stereos or otherwise disturbing the peace, they must spend a Friday evening in his courtroom listening to music of his choosing, reports the Los Angeles Times. For the last decade, Sacco, 55, has administered a brand of justice somewhere between 'cruel' and 'unusual.' Young people know that if they're caught, they're in for a night that could begin with the 'Barney' theme song, move to an opera selection and end with Boy George's 'Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.' " 

"Sacco wants payback to the scofflaws blaring their tunes without regard for their neighbors -- a vexing habit in this blue-collar community of about 8,000, said Police Chief Ron Grannis. For a while, Sacco issued $95 tickets to the noise violators. But one day, as he ordered a teenager to pay a fine, he realized the kid's parents, flanking him, would probably just pay it for him. The 'music immersion' sentence was born. The playlist features Barry Manilow and other artists, mostly selected for their ability to annoy the younger set."

Los Angeles Times

Full post as published by New York Supreme Court Criminal Term Library on January 22, 2009 (boomark / email).