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Judge Lisa Dodson Jails Sleepy Juror Who Didn’t Return From Lunch Break

By Philip Thomas on October 18, 2013

Wow! You don’t see this often. From the Sun-Herald:

 A circuit court judge has sentenced a woman to jail for two days for falling asleep during jury selection in a murder trial and failing to return to court after a break for lunch. 

Judge Lisa Dodson sentenced Mary Justine Carter, 31, to jail for contempt of court Friday and fined her $100. The fine must be paid within 30 days….

 Dodson said she had instructed potential jurors to make whatever arrangements needed so they could return to court at 1:30 p.m., and Carter did not.

 “I find you in direct contempt,” Dodson told Carter.

My Take:

Good for Judge Dodson. When she says no sleeping and come back from lunch, she means it.

Of course, this is bad news for jurors and attorneys who like to sneak a nap in during boring testimony after lunch.

  • Posted in:
    Appellate, Civil Litigation, Insurance
  • Organization:
    Philip W. Thomas Law Firm

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