The Institute for Justice has expressed outrage after a judge tried to jail a man for what he said – an insult to a police officer.
“Judges are supposed to uphold and defend the Constitution, not violate and ignore it,” charged IJ attorney Tori Clark. “Judge Bull’s actions violated basic notions of free speech and due process—and they are far outside the realm of judicial functions.”
The controversy erupted when Nicholas Bull, a municipal judge in Ozark, Alabama, tried to jail a citizen for “simply offending a police officer.”
It happened when Reginald Burks, an aircraft mechanic, was stopped by an officer for going 28 mph in a zone marked with a 25 mph limit, while taking his kids to school.
“The officer’s radar gun was broken, so he allegedly used his cruise control to estimate Burks’ speed. After issuing a speeding ticket, the police officer stepped in front of Burks’ car, blocking him from leaving. Burks asked the officer to move, but he refused. Finally, frustrated by the situation, Burks told the officer to ‘Get your a** out of the way so I can take my kids to school,'” IJ reported.
When Burks later appeared before Bull to pay a $211 fine Bull “issued an unusual order.”
What is wrong with people? When I was on my way up I was taught that you listen to the police. When they tell you to stop or pull over or whatever, you do it! But now, with BLM and Antifa and LGBTQIA+ crap, I guess now when the police give you directions you just sue them instead.
Threatening to run over a cop is more than just verbally offending him. Law and order must return along with respect of others, for our society to sustain itself.