Judge acts like school teacher
 

New York Judge Tossed From Bench After 'Inexplicable Madness'; Booked Courtroom After Cell Phone Rang

Wednesday, November 28, 2007



ADVERTISEMENT

NIAGRA FALLS, N.Y —

A judge who jailed 46 people who were in his courtroom when a cell phone call interrupted proceedings was removed from the bench Tuesday by a state commission.

Niagara Falls City Court Judge Robert Restaino "snapped" and "engaged in what can only be described as two hours of inexplicable madness" during the March 2005 session, Raoul Felder, chairman of the state Commission on Judicial Conduct, wrote in the decision to remove Restaino from the $113,900-per-year post.

A phone rang while Restaino was hearing the cases of domestic violence offenders who had been ordered to appear weekly to update the judge on the progress of their counseling. A sign in the courthouse warns that cell phones and pagers must be turned off.

"Everyone is going to jail," Restaino said. "Every single person is going to jail in this courtroom unless I get that instrument now. If anybody believes I'm kidding, ask some of the folks that have been here for a while. You are all going."

When no one came forward, Restaino ordered the group into custody, and they were taken to jail, where they were searched and packed into crowded cells. Fourteen people who could not post bail were shackled and bused to another jail.

Restaino ordered them released later that afternoon.

Restaino told the state panel he had been under stress in his personal life.

His attorney, Terrence Connors, said Restaino would appeal

Awesome. I wish someone had the same power in movie theaters, too...

was the article too long?

I think you missed the point. No one would get to watch the movie because instead of dealing with the offending party he hauled EVERYONE to jail.

Yes, I believe that the inconsiderate idiot on the cell phone needs beaten into a stain. The last time I went to a movie this person's phone raing three times and she talked on it like the movie was a real inconvenience.

"Yes, I believe that the inconsiderate idiot on the cell phone needs beaten into a stain."

i wouldn't want to be in your courtroom.

why the big deal about talking on a cell phone? unless everyone had to keep quiet. what's the difference if two people sit next to each other and chat, while i chat on my phone?
of course i do know that some people talk very loudly on the phone, but i think most don't suffer from the shouting syndrome.

i've never seen a court in session where people in the audience wouldn't be reminded not to talk by the bailiff.

i've been told not to read a newspaper.

they're just fussy that way.

that's why i said unless everyone had to be quiet.
i can't stand cell phones going off when you're in places that are supposed to be silent.
i know some restaurants have bans on phones, i think that's ridiculous.

What I think is ridiculous is that 1 person had a cell phone ring and EVERYBODY went to jail. It is just like a teacher I had in junior high.
1 person does something and the whole class is punished.

I don't see how justice is served when all (all being domestic abusers) are punished for one person's actions. The "Judge" has no business in a court room.

Now, if I am in a movie theater and someone gets 1 phone call.. that's annoying
2 it's ridiculous (because they still haven't shut it off)
the 3rd time.. bodily harm is warranted