Fight On in Oz for Basic Human Rights

[Ralph]

ABC Online

Civil libertarians rally behind nude bather. 07/05/2006. ABC News Online

[This is the print version of story http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/20 ... 632375.htm]

Last Update: Sunday, May 7, 2006. 8:29am (AEST)
Civil libertarians rally behind nude bather

The Queensland Council of Civil Liberties says police should drop the charge against a Sunshine Coast man who was caught bathing nude on a public beach.

Ken Wenzel is due to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates court tomorrow after being charged with wilful exposure at Third Bay Beach at Coolum, which many say is an unofficial clothes-free area.

Queensland Council of Civil Liberties president Michael Cope says arresting people for nude bathing in isolated areas is a waste of police resources and taxpayers' money could be put to better use.

"Nudity does no harm to anybody, particularly when you know it's an isolated beach which is accepted as being such," he said.

"To criminalise that sort of conduct is just ridiculous.

"The police have got better things to do with their time catching real crooks."

Mr Cope says the State Government should set aside legal nude beaches.

"They're just picking and choosing where they're going to charge people," he said.

"Whereas, what the Government should do is establish what are clearly nudist beaches so that people can go there.

"So far as the council is concerned, Mr Wenzel isn't doing anybody any harm.

"Therefore, it's not appropriate to charge him with a criminal offence."

[Werner]

I suppose there's a dress code for a court appearance.

[Ralph]

I suppose there's a dress code for a court appearance.

*****

For lawyers there's a common understanding as to what is appropriate. In the past women lawyers sometimes encountered comments from the bench about appearing in pants suits but that's history.

Parties can wear anything that doesn't offend the dignity of the court.

[Werner]

At lest, something!

[Corlyss_D]

Parties can wear anything that doesn't offend the dignity of the court.

I once appeared in court before an old friend, a Southern gentleman of the old school, complete with drawl and well known for his conservative ways. My co-counsel wisely chose to remove his diamond ear-ring whenever we entered the courtroom. I have also heard of at least one long-haired male attorney who tied up his hair in a pony tail out of respect for the court.

[Ralph]

Parties can wear anything that doesn't offend the dignity of the court.

I once appeared in court before an old friend, a Southern gentleman of the old school, complete with drawl and well known for his conservative ways. My co-counsel wisely chose to remove his diamond ear-ring whenever we entered the courtroom. I have also heard of at least one long-haired male attorney who tied up his hair in a pony tail out of respect for the court.

*****

Appearance matters. I've had any number of teenage jerks cleaned up for court.

[pizza]

Then there was the Chicago judge who usually sat in his undies because the courtroom was too warm. One day he forgot his situation and rose from the bench to answer a phone call in chambers -- much to the amusement of the courtroom.

[Ralph]

Then there was the Chicago judge who usually sat in his undies because the courtroom was too warm. One day he forgot his situation and rose from the bench to answer a phone call in chambers -- much to the amusement of the courtroom.

*****

And then there's the judge who's going to jail for using a whoosingly loud penis pump while presiding.

[miranda]

*****

And then there's the judge who's going to jail for using a whoosingly loud penis pump while presiding.

Ralph, please tell me you're joking!

[Ralph]

*****

And then there's the judge who's going to jail for using a whoosingly loud penis pump while presiding.

Ralph, please tell me you're joking!

*****

From Thesmokinggun.com/archive:

"Pump" Judge Gets Popped
Charge former Oklahoma jurist with exposing self on bench

JANUARY 21--The Oklahoma judge who was forced from the bench last year for using a penis pump in court (among other really gross acts) was charged yesterday with indecent exposure for his judicial indiscretions. Donald Thompson, 58, entered a not guilty plea yesterday to three felony counts during an appearance in Creek County District Court, where he worked until resigning last August. According to the below yucky probable cause affidavit, Thompson exposed himself during three separate 2003 cases (two of which were murder trials). For example, on May 13, while he was presiding over State v. Kurt Arnold Vomberg (who was accused of killing his girlfriend's 21-month-old daughter), Thompson loudly pumped himself up. Two court employees told investigators that they saw Thompson (pictured in the mug shot at right) attach the suction device to his penis, while five jurors reported hearing whooshing sounds, which they thought were coming from either a bicycle pump, blood pressure cuff, or an air cushion on the judge's chair. After a January 7 search of Thompson's former courtroom and chambers yielded items that tested positive for seminal fluid, investigators secured a search warrant to obtain a DNA sample from the ex-jurist. During testimony last year before the Council on Judicial Complaints, Thompson denied masturbating on the bench, using the penis pump, or depositing urine or semen into a wastebasket under his bench. Thompson's demise was triggered by a complaint filed against him last June by the Oklahoma Attorney General, who sought to oust the jurist for a variety of illicit behavior, which the AG detailed in a removal petition. Along with using the penis pump, Thompson also allegedly shaved and oiled his private parts, according to accounts given to state investigators by a clerk, trial witnesses, and a court reporter. If convicted of the indecent exposure counts, Thompson could face a maximum of 10 years in prison on each charge.