This has got to be the most ridiculous news I’ve ever heard. A judge at a Will County Courthouse in Chicago was sentencing another fellow on some felony drug charges when his cousin, Clifton Williams, “stretched and let out a very ill-timed yawn.” His penalty for that? A maximum six months in jail without a jury trial. Williams was locked up on July 23rd and is reportedly going to serve at least 21 days.
I was shocked when I read of this incident. I had no idea that such thing was even punishable by law. Apparently, it is up to the judge to decide what punishment to render a person to be in criminal “contempt of the court.” But is yawning really criminal?
I didn’t’ think this was anything you could hold someone in contempt for. I mean, yawning is a natural, involuntary action we all undergo daily. Apparently, Clifton Williams’ yawn was different. The sentencing judge was none other than Judge Daniel Rozak. The yawn was reportedly loud and clearly meant to show disrespect and interruption of the sentencing of his cousin, said prosecutors present in the courtroom. But Judge Rozak is no ordinary judge.
According court records, the judge had sentenced more people for contemptuous behaviors including having their phones ring in court, cussing at the judge or speaking or yelling loudly as to interrupt court proceedings. He has the legal rights to do that it appears. But it seems as though he does so more often than his colleagues.
Records show that other judges in his court have done way less sentencing on such disruptions. Despite his high rate of sentences for non-criminal offenses, judge Rozak is well respected and regarded as a ‘tough but fair’ judge. He apparently reduced those sentencing after the perpetrators apologize. And he apparently needs to be strict due to the nature of the cases he handles.
Well now you know. Judges have discretion to render up to six months in jail for disruptive behavior, including yawning. Next time you find yourself in court, warn “nature” to be mindful of your locale so you won’t disturb a proceeding!