Potential Juror Curses Judge and Lands in Jail
A potential juror in Florida ended up in a jail cell rather than the courtroom when she apparently called the judge an asshole for refusing to dismiss her from jury service.
Sarah Muller told the Ocala Star Banner she was unhappy that the judge dismissed another juror but refused to excuse her from jury service because she needed to see a doctor. The newspaper didn’t quote the word that got Muller a contempt citation, but said it is “a two-syllable curse word—a crude term referring to the anus.” Muller also offered that she is a racist, but said it was just an excuse offered in hopes of avoiding jury duty.
During the contempt hearing, Muller apologized to the judge and said she didn’t know her comment was illegal. Tears streamed down her face, the newspaper reports. Judge R. James McCune Jr. sentenced Muller to three days in jail and ordered her to pay more than $200 in court costs and fines.
“I didn’t know I would go to jail for freedom of speech,” Muller said in an interview with the Star Banner from the jail booking center. Muller is unemployed and has a leaky heart valve. She said gas is expensive, and she can’t pay to drive to court as well as to the doctor’s office.
Her advice to others in her situation: “Don’t say any cuss words at all. Maybe even ‘damn’ will get you kicked out.”
A hat tip to How Appealing.
