Chad Johnson Courtroom Stuff

[E.J.]

Anyone seen the video, have an opinion?

I think that Judge overreacted related to the reaction of the courtroom. I don't think CJ was disrespectful or had any intention of being "funny", I think he had an "athlete" reaction to a question/situation he was put in and made a stupid but slap.

It was not until a bit of reaction from the courtroom, that the Judge decided to take action and then kind of rolled with it. Even when she was addressing him about the slap, he seemed appropriate.....

Anyway, my opinion is related to a snip of tape....who knows the interaction of this case for the past X months....

I do question his choice of shirtsleeve shirt and thus, no tie... Looks pretty relaxed for a court appearance.

[AdamJoshua]

I think he smacked a woman around and deserved to do time no matter who he is. That, though, is just my opinion.

[E.J.]

Originally Posted by AdamJoshua

I think he smacked a woman around and deserved to do time no matter who he is. That, though, is just my opinion.

Head-butted his wife(now ex-wife).... But that is not the point....

[Blueface]

On the field, in a locker room, yeah, normal and OK.

That said, Being a person who is often in court as result of what I do for a living, I and everyone for that matter, should understand a courtroom and anything that happens in it, on or off the record, is taken very seriously by judges.
What he did is to that judge or most judges, the equivalent of joking about weapons to TSA. You just don't do that.

Now, add the fact the issue for which he was there was for domestic violence, a butt slap to his attorney and in the manner he did it (smiling and clearly jokingly) was certain to elicit the response it did from folks observing. No doubt that infuriated the judge. He should have waited to be outside the courtroom.

Again, that was not the proper place and frankly, he was an idiot for not knowing better. The judge simply sent a message that all proceedings in front of her, specially for criminal charges, are to be taken seriously.

[kelmac07]

In a courtroom environment...the "good game" slap on the a$$ is inappropriate.

[E.J.]

Yea, I spend a fair bit of time in a court room as well..... Not saying the slap was appropriate or okay, but she seemed to react to the courtroom reaction, not the action.

Defendants are going to do stupid stuff from time to time, it is a given, but he is not responsible for the reaction of the courtroom or bailiffs....

Guess the point is.... Did she overreact or was her reaction to the action(not courtroom response) appropriate?

[bobarian]

R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Let's take it from your perspective. His actions led directly to the reaction and outright disrespect of the Court. He was celebrating being convicted and receiving a light sentence. It would have been different if he was celebrating being found innocent, but his actions basically showed him "laughing" at the judge and her ruling.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by bobarian

R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Let's take it from your perspective. His actions led directly to the reaction and outright disrespect of the Court. He was celebrating being convicted and receiving a light sentence. It would have been different if he was celebrating being found innocent, but his actions basically showed him "laughing" at the judge and her ruling.

Bingo.

[elderboy02]

I am not a Chad Johsnon apologist, but she is on a power trip and overreacted. I can see maybe a day or 3 in jail, but not 30. What a waste of taxpayer dollars.

[E.J.]

His action was related to her questioning if he was satisfied with his counsel. He responded that he was, she then took it further….saying you should be, he is a very good attorney. He then looked at said atty, sort of appeared to not know what to do, so slapped him on his ash…. If she didn’t say that one unneeded piece of commentary during the plea, it would have been done and over.

Yes, inappropriate, but he didn’t appear to be disrespecting the court…he just had a dumb action/reaction to his situation.

I don't think for a second he was laughing at the ruling. I think if the Judge thought the courtroom was being disrespectful, she should have cleared it. But it appears she wanted to make a point....

Slow day I guess..... Not sure why I even care what this Judge did or if CJ does 30 days for head-butting his ex-wife....

[elderboy02]

Originally Posted by E.J.

His action was related to her questioning if he was satisfied with his counsel. He responded that he was, she then took it further….saying you should be, he is a very good attorney. He then looked at said atty, sort of appeared to not know what to do, so slapped him on his ash…. If she didn’t say that one unneeded piece of commentary during the plea, it would have been done and over. ....

I completely agree. If the judge didn't want a reaction, she should have just accepted the plea.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by elderboy02

I completely agree. If the judge didn't want a reaction, she should have just accepted the plea.

Huh?

It's literally HER courtroom.
She can stand on her head if she wishes but everyone else beware.

I am sorry but in a courtroom, there is decorum. It is the only place I know you stand up and sit down when told it is OK to sit down as a judge or a jury enters or leaves. That alone sets the tone for the respect that should be maintained at all times.

There was a recent case in South Florida where a young girl made a disrespectful comment and rather than being released, she too got 30 days. 30 days is clearly for purposes of a message. Bet he will never do that again nor will anyone who has seen the tape or heard of the incident. Hence message will be effective.

[E.J.]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Huh?

It's literally HER courtroom.
She can stand on her head if she wishes but everyone else beware.

I am sorry but in a courtroom, there is decorum. It is the only place I know you stand up and sit down when told it is OK to sit down as a judge or a jury enters or leaves. That alone sets the tone for the respect that should be maintained at all times.

Just because a Judge can act like God in their courtroom, doesn't mean it's okay.

He didn't have an outburst, mumble under his breath or turn around and start talking with family, he harmlessly tapped his attorney on the ash....in what looks like an act of "What do I do now?" He didn't do this to spite the Judge, as some act of questioning her authority or make a joke in her courtroom. Just a reaction to the position he was in. Though I am not denying it was inappropriate.

Apparently it is her first year on the bench and she is legally blind, so maybe she didn't even see what happened......which may back up my original comments that it appears that she was responding to the courtroom, not his actions. Interesting.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by E.J.

Just because a Judge can act like God in their courtroom, doesn't mean it's okay.

Exactly. What the judge did was not right. Going to jail is a serious thing and really puts him in a dangerous position for nothing due to his celebrity. If he is harmed in jail, it is her fault.

Think of all the scums and social predators that don't serve time. We need term limits on judges...

[King James]

Originally Posted by E.J.

Apparently it is her first year on the bench and she is legally blind, so maybe she didn't even see what happened......which may back up my original comments that it appears that she was responding to the courtroom, not his actions. Interesting.

In the vid Carlos put up she says that she saw him, so I don't think that was it. Also, I have no problem with what the judge did. Chad Johnson should have known better than to do it in the courtroom, plain and simple. IMHO.

[Blueface]

Just in case for those that haven't seen it and read thread.
Here is the video.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/t/video/oc...loses-19372038

[shilala]

I agree with Carlos 100%.
A courtroom is no place for high-fiving, ass-slapping, laughing or giggling.
Some judges are a bit more light-hearted and will take things less seriously to a degree, but if a person isn't acquainted with that degree, they'd best be severely serious.
Chad Johnson was in trouble because of his lack of self control, not knowing what appropriate reactions were, and for acting improperly and irresponsibly.
Had the judge NOT given him 30 days for slapping his lawyer on the ass, which simply highlighted the fact he's learned nothing from this experience, it would have been wrong.

Don't forget that this same problem pissed away an NFL career. Specifically this same problem. He was let go from the Dolphins this past Spring for using language with reporters after he and the entire team had been told numerous times that the team was to put forth a completely professional persona and to never use inappropriate language in front of the cameras. His head was already chopped when he got around to whatever happened with his crazy girlfriend, which was another domestic abuse deal if I remember correctly.

[AdamJoshua]

He didn't get 30 days for slapping the lawyer on the ass, he got 30 days for assaulting his ex, the Judge rejected the plea deal because of his actions in the courtroom.

I guess I think assaulting a woman is more serious than some people who seem to think this is more about the a judge thinking they are God in their courtroom, simple fact is they are God in their courtroom, hence "contempt of court" which gives them power to lock you up for exactly this type of thing.

If you are in court, you are on trial, you are suppose to at least pretend to take things seriously, not laughing and joking around.

[E.J.]

The original question doesn't have ANYTHING to do with the original charge, it has to do with the agreed on plea, the action and then reaction of the Judge.

This is about an ash slap. pure and simple....the plea was agreed on and because of the action, the Judge changed her mind. It was not contempt of court, she didn't accept the plea.

Thanks for explaining what a courtroom is all about, I appreciate you giving me some outline, that will come in handy.....and I am positive you think assaulting woman is more serious that I do....

[shilala]

Originally Posted by E.J.

The original question doesn't have ANYTHING to do with the original charge, it has to do with the agreed on plea, the action and then reaction of the Judge.

This is about an ash slap. pure and simple....the plea was agreed on and because of the action, the Judge changed her mind. It was not contempt of court, she didn't accept the plea.

Thanks for explaining what a courtroom is all about, I appreciate you giving me some outline, that will come in handy.....and I am positive you think assaulting woman is more serious that I do....

I understood what you were asking.
Thing is, the reason he was there was for the judge to contemplate his original charge and the probation violation attached to it, so it's hard to ignore.

I get why he would do what he did, and personally thought it was perfectly harmless and appropriate, or at least okay. It's not though, doesn't matter who you are or what the reason, and I know that.
Johnson even seemed baited. He looked like he thought she was expecting a response to show his lawyer he did a good job, which is why he slapped his butt. I think she was expecting him to thank his lawyer and shake his hand, but Johnson was nervous. He certainly didn't understand why people were laughing, and thought it was something else, and that made him more nervous.

The judge did seem to be showing off a bit. I didn't feel like her voice or body language matched what she was doing. Thing is, I don't know her past that snippet. That may be her usual demeanor.
Had there not been a courtroom laughing, maybe she wouldn't have had the reaction because she wouldn't have felt she was being made fool of or disrespected. I'd even give you that one. But I don't know her and the courtroom wasn't empty, so we don't get that chance.
Which leads back to "he got what he paid for".