Magistrate sleeps through case

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Tassidar

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http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2173778,00.html
"I was stunned initially when the magistrate sat chewing bubble gum. Every now and then there'd be a popping sound when she let the bubbles burst.

"It was very disturbing. When the accused began to cross-examine me, I noticed that the magistrate was slumped with her head right back against the chair. She was fast asleep."

Ruck said she was cross examined for about 15 minutes and the magistrate slept through it all.

Ruck said the interpreter eventually tried to wake her by calling out "Your honour!", but it didn't work.

The prosecutor then got up and spoke to her loudly.

"The court burst into laughter when she suddenly woke up.

"She just grinned sheepishly and rubbed her eyes. She then adjourned the court, saying it was tea-time," Ruck said.
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I don't know whether to laugh or cry!
 
Just cry....do what I do, leave the room and cry softly in your pillow, its not even worth a snicker anymore
 
Worst part for me is you got to show the judge respect because of his/her position.

Another Proudly South African moment?
 
Jarrod said:
Worst part for me is you got to show the judge respect because of his/her position.

Another Proudly South African moment?
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Don't ever make the mistake of confusing a Judge with a Magistrate --- judges get very irate when you do! Magistrates are often not terribly well qualified, and often not even particularly experienced.
 
NameOfBeast said:
Don't ever make the mistake of confusing a Judge with a Magistrate --- judges get very irate when you do! Magistrates are often not terribly well qualified, and often not even particularly experienced.
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True, IIRC a magistrate is like a glorified Advocate?

Anyway funny as hell, grouds for appeal if the guy is found guilty or not.
 
NameOfBeast said:
Don't ever make the mistake of confusing a Judge with a Magistrate --- judges get very irate when you do! Magistrates are often not terribly well qualified, and often not even particularly experienced.
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and not particularly interested in their work either! :sick:
 
Pardon my ignorance and thanks for pointing that out NameOfBeast :)
I generally try and stay clear of both :) I have been successfully avoiding both for 34 years, hopefully I can do so for another 34 :)
 
dominic Just a quick question. In your years of work how many times has the magistrate/judge fell asleep?
 
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