A teenage girl’s educational field trip to a Detroit courtroom took an unexpected turn when she found herself in handcuffs and jail clothes after a judge disapproved of her behavior.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when the 16-year-old, along with other students, was visiting Judge Kenneth King’s courtroom at the 36th District Court as part of a trip organized by The Greening of Detroit, a nonprofit environmental group.
The purpose of the visit was to provide students with an inside look at the justice system. However, things took a dramatic turn when Judge King noticed the girl nodding off during the session.
According to WXYZ-TV, Judge King warned the teen after noticing her struggling to stay awake, saying, “You fall asleep in my courtroom one more time, I’m gonna put you in back, understood?” When she continued to doze off, the judge escalated the situation by having her change into jail clothes and placing her in handcuffs.
King explained his actions, stating that he wanted the experience to feel “very real” for the teen, even though there was little chance of him actually incarcerating her. He referred to his approach as his version of “Scared Straight,” a reference to the famous documentary that aimed to deter juvenile offenders by exposing them to the harsh realities of prison life.
“It was her whole attitude and her whole disposition that disturbed me,” Judge King told WXYZ. “I wanted to get through to her, show how serious this is and how you are to conduct yourself inside of a courtroom.”
The judge even involved other students in the courtroom, asking them whether they thought the girl should be taken to juvenile detention. Eventually, King released the girl but not before threatening her with time in juvenile detention.
The incident has sparked controversy, with many questioning the judge’s methods. The Greening of Detroit responded to the situation, expressing concern over the judge’s actions. “The young lady was traumatized,” said Marissa Ebersole Wood, the chairperson of the organization.
“Although the judge was trying to teach a lesson of respect, his methods were unacceptable. The group of students should have been simply asked to leave the courtroom if he thought they were disrespectful.”
Judge Aliyah Sabree, who holds a leadership position at the 36th District Court, also weighed in, stating that Judge King’s conduct “does not reflect the standards we uphold at 36th District Court.” She assured the public that the matter would be addressed with the utmost diligence.
Larry Dubin, a professor at the University of Detroit Mercy law school, criticized the judge’s approach, suggesting that there were more constructive ways to help the young girl learn the importance of respect and proper conduct in a courtroom.
In the aftermath, Judge King reportedly reached out to the girl’s parents and offered to mentor her, indicating his desire to continue guiding her despite the controversy surrounding his actions.
Source: AP News
