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Bronx Judge Joseph Dawson is fed up with the overly casual attire worn by defendants in his courtroom, and he's putting lawyers on notice that their clients need to class it up. On Monday he schooled a man for wearing shorts and a T-shirt, explaining, "I'm not saying you have to wear a suit. You don't. Just wear something appropriate." And he berated lawyer Edward McGowan: "Your client comes up in a T-shirt and sweatpants, chewing gum? This court deserves more respect than that." The fashion lesson sent defendant Mirabel Aquino—who was awaiting her drug-case sentencing in purple shorts, a tank top and gold flip-flops—scrambling to the ladies room to swap outfits with her better-dressed sister. After the quick change, she got five years' probation, and her lawyer admits, "In the Bronx, things can get a bit lackadaisical." But is judge Dawson demanding too haute couture from indigent defendants? A lawyer with the nonprofit Bronx Defenders tells the Daily News, "All of our clients are poor. What may be the best clothes they have might be considered by others to be disrespectful to the court."
Bronx Judge Giving Tough Fashion Tips to Defendants
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Man, your pic choices always kill me.
right? you have to be culturally literate and have the memory of an elephant to pull night court outta your ass.
Going to court dressed like that is its own cause and effect.
Go ahead and plead guilty to everything.
Defendant couture is big business in other cities. Clearly the Bronx needs better retail.
Seriously. Up here, it's like Mandee's to the rescue.
At least the judge is honest about his opinion. The defendant's personal appearance is likely always being factored into the judgment whether it's conscious or not.
Even if you're too poor to afford a suit, people can tell if you tried to look responsible or not.
"All of our clients are poor. What may be the best clothes they have might be considered by others to be disrespectful to the court."
You mean to say that this woman has to wear her flip flops all year round. She doesn't have another pair of shoes. Sounds like it was lack of respect and/or poor judgement to me.
I was thinking "what do they wear in winter?"
In the case of hoochy defendants, they wear the same skanky shit year-round.
Sweatpants and a tank top are someone's "best clothes?"
I've never attended a funeral or formal wedding where people came with flip-flops and sweatpants, no matter how humble the circumstances. Your trial might qualify as that important.
I agree with the judge, put some pants on if you want to be taken seriously in court. Remember when Anna Nicole put some real clothes on when going to court? She suddenly look liked almost a lady! Also, it reminds me of that NYTimes article about high priced defense attornies changing into crappy suits before going to court so that they don't look as flashy as they really are.
Classist judge. He should be removed from the bench.
I wouldn't go that far. He never "ordered" anybody to change their attire. Only suggested they do so.
People have a right to wear whatever they feel is appropriate, and this judge has a right to his opinion(of which I personally agree).
why should the clothes of a person determine his sentence? why not the color of his skin?
Because you choose your clothes
doesn't matter,
it's all a show,
only matters to some people.
I once saw a defendant show up for arraignment wearing his finest Scarface t-shirt. It was for a possession charge.
These self-important judges get a J.D. from University of Phoenix Law School or some shitty night school and they feel like they deserve so much damn respect.
Please.
What I mean is that if you make a life choice to hear criminal court cases as a judge, you shouldn't expect to have the same level of dignity as if you were on the friggin Supreme Court. Especially since most of the people whose cases you'll be hearing don't exactly have three-piece suits hanging in their closets.
Or the judges are educated individuals who are put in the position of having to decide whether people should go to prison or not, and feel that people should show some respect to the importance of what goes on in these courtrooms.
In addition, getting people to treat court as a serious and formal thing might help hammer home how serious the situation is.
If you are homeless or indigent and tell a judge honestly that you don't have anything more formal than what you are wearing, they will understand.
But, if you get arrested for DWI in your $50,000 car and show up for court in sandals or a t-shirt, you deserve to get yelled at.
"All of our clients are poor. What may be the best clothes they have might be considered by others to be disrespectful to the court."
Many litigants believe that their "best clothes" are appropriate for court because of what they paid for them--the $200. sneakers and name brand shorts and T-shirts. Savvy defense attorneys have long known to counsel their clients about how to dress.
Why is it judges think they or their court room demands respect? I can count on one hand the amount of judges that have actually earned anyone's respect... most have in fact earned our vehemence.
Earn your respect like everyone else yah hammer wielding cross dressers!
I agree, and also with the defenders of the Bronx... HOOOOO!!!!!
I should be able to wear my best Sunday Speedos to court. Who cares if they've been outlawed by competitive swimming.
It's fine for judges to demand respect. By the same token, they should also earn it. For every knucklehead judge, there's a very competent one seething that the losers keep lowering the bar.
They should wear their best clothes to court. It shows respect for the system.
you mean like tims and a scarface jacket?
It seems many of those who posted comments don't know the meaning of the word "poor," in the context used by the attorney quoted in the article, or, for that matter, the fact that the overwhelming number of arrests of people in the south bronx are indigent and completely without economic resources. The lower economic classes have always been an easy target, not only for those commenting from the comfort of their air conditioned apartments, but primarily for the NYPD, who have for generations targeted them for easy, quota-filling arrests. "Respect" when it comes to attire is based upon purely subjective, classist preconceptions.
It seems that many of those who posted comments don't know the meaning of the word "poor," in the context used by the attorney quoted in the article, or, for that matter, the fact that the overwhelming number of arrests of people in the south bronx are indigent and completely without economic resources. The lower economic classes have always been an easy target, not only for those commenting from the comfort of their air conditioned apartments, but primarily for the NYPD, who have for generations targeted them for easy, quota-filling arrests. "Respect" when it comes to attire is based upon purely subjective, classist preconceptions.
Come on john... it's not like the judge was demanding Armani or something. I'm sure these people could scrounge up at least a Gucci or Versace suit from salvation army.
Bullhockey. Appropriate dress is not classist at work or school or court.
Ya gotta put it in terms that ordinary people understand: If you were up on charges of multiple homicide, armed robbery and aggravated assault, what would Judge Judy want you to wear?
B.s. from defense side. Go to a thrift shop. Go to Salvation Army. Legal Aid should have a clothing fund set up. This ain't their first time.
I'm pretty sure they can find very cheap clothes up there. I was visiting a relative and saw a "$5 pants" sign in front of a store!
At least for a one-time occasion, should do. Don't believe the judge is looking for an overpriced designer item.