Flip-flops prove costly as woman goes to court

[The Straight Story]

Flip-flops prove costly as woman goes to court

Linda West wanted to dress correctly for traffic court, so she read the big white rule board in the entryway that in big red letters says, "Proper Attire is Required to Enter Courtrooms."

Eleven no-nos are listed. Baggy pants, shorts, bare feet, tank tops and gang attire are on the list. No gum chewing, either.

So on June 7, the 63-year-old West showed up in a T-shirt top, pants and sandals that could fit the definition of flip-flops. A sheriff's deputy told her she had to leave the courtroom because flip-flops were not allowed.

"I'm not the type of person to disobey a rule," she said.

She went to the clerk's station to set up a new time for her court matter. She said she was told she couldn't do that.

She had to show up at 6 or 6:30 a.m. as a walk-in and hope she could be fit in on a calendar. And she would get a failure to appear charge, which carries a $557 fine.

That would be on top of the $426 fine for her red light camera ticket, which she thought was both too high and she didn't deserve. She said she believes she stopped before turning right on a red light. She said she went to court in the first place to try to reduce the red light fine.

And when she heard the failure to appear fine amount, "I thought I was going to pass out," she said.

http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x637735054/Flip-flops-prove-costly-as-woman-goes-to-court

[hlthe2b]

1. While I have a thing about flip flops myself, this is ridiculous...

I hope she prevails.

[bigwillq]

2. Rooting for Linda

I hope she wins.

(and I HATE flip-flops, but this is crazy).

[theHandpuppet]

4. Perhaps the judge will dismiss her fine

If she promises to burn all of her flip-flops.

[bigwillq]

5. Maybe!

:rofl:

[nichomachus]

3. You should see some the outfits people show up wearing for court

You're nor going to the WalMart or a pig roast. You don't have a collared shirt, decent pants, and real shoes? Really? Judges are sticklers for showing some respect. It's really not respectful to see 45 pounds of naked belly fat muffintopping over your skimpy shorts and under you halter top or too-small T-shirt. I worked in the courthouse and was constantly amazed at the crap some people wear. One guy came in with a dirty orange t-shirt with the word "GUILTY" in three inch letters.

Yes, yes, I know this woman read all the rules, but put some freaking shoes on. You're not going to the beach.

[theHandpuppet]

6. The latest "fashion" seems to be wearing pajamas at all times

No kidding. I've seen folks out shopping in their PJs and fuzzy slippers. Sheesh.

[nichomachus]

7. Go to peopleofwalmart.com

It is like watching a slow motion train wreck. You just can't stop looking, no matter how horrible it is.

[trof]

27. I got locked, in THE LOUNGE, fah chrissakes, for linking that website.

I was "Making fun of poor people".
Horse. Hockey.

I was making fun of people with abominably poor taste.
:eyes:

[JoeyT]

8. Judges are sticklers for showing some respect.

As are all petty tyrants and authoritarian bootlicks.

[Darth_Kitten]

11. Maybe lazy people deserve to show some respect for the law?

n/t

[Ikonoklast]

14. Maybe that's the best clothes they own.

Not everyone has a closet full of suits, or nice dresses to wear.

I know you won't believe it, but for many, it's true.

[Darth_Kitten]

16. You wouldn't know what I believe, so don't presume....

funny though, lady has the money to drive yet can't buy a 20 dollar pair of shoes?

Sorry, won't make excuses for people who can't be bothered.

[Ikonoklast]

20. I owned a car, needed it for work

Couldn't afford new shoes at the time, either.

I put cardboard in the soles of my worn-out work boots.

I presume nothing.

There were times when my last twenty dollars either went in the tank, to be able to drive to work on Monday, or buy something to eat.


And I wasn't a kid at the time, I had three children to feed.


I guess you would have been disgusted by my dirty work clothes, too.

[JanMichael]

21. why do you presume shoes that could be labeled flip flops aren't nice?

http://www.sundancecatalog.com/product/footwear-and-bags/sandals/in+cognito+sandals.do?sortby=priceDescend&gemstoneSelected=all&materialSelected=all&styleSelected=all&sizeSelected=all&page=2

[nichomachus]

23. You don't need a "closet full of suits"

Go to the thrift store -- buy a nice shirt for a buck. I've done it.

[theHandpuppet]

25. Yeah, right. Flip flops are the only shoes she owns

:eyes:

[LanternWaste]

29. And courts do make allowance for that...

And courts do make allowance for that... if your assumption is indeed the case.

[knitter4democracy]

9. If she was decently dressed otherwise, though, what's the harm?

I've been in court ten times now (ex-husband likes taking me to court), not to mention the many times having to go in to drop off paperwork or deal with Friend of the Court, and I make sure to dress up and wear a teaching outfit or a suit, so it's not like I don't know what you're talking about. I do wonder why he'd worry about her shoes, though. I've worn sandals with my dresses and not had anyone be worried about them.

[Darth_Kitten]

10. Exactly......

:)

[underpants]

19. I have had to be in court several times in the last few years and you are right

one was my fault (speeding) the others were for other things

Stone Cold Steve Austin shirts still show up from time to time. I have always worn a suit and tie.

a lawyer friend tells me that judges have just given up on it. They have succumbed to the vast numbers of people who look like they rolled out of bed and came to court.

the same thing goes for church too.

[dsc]

12. It is hard to judge without a picture

but since it seems stipulated that she followed the posted rules, and the posted rules didn't say the usual not limited to language, she shouldn't be fined for this. If you don't want people wearing flip flops then say so.

[Codeine]

13. You shouldn't have to be told

that it's inappropriate to wear flip-flops to court. Some things are just glaringly goddamned obvious.

[eShirl]

24. If it's not acceptable, it should be included with the list of other things not to wear.

People are not mind readers.

[melm00se]

26. from the list:

No baggy pants

No bare feet

No food or drinks

No gum

No gang attire

No shorts

No sunglasses

No tank tops

No visible underwear

No thin strapped shirts or blouses

You must remove all hats or head wear, sweat bands, etc.
============================================================

wearing a:

clown nose
shirt that says "fuck you"
one man band rig
strap-on dildo worn over your clothes
nazi uniform
kkk robe

would all be acceptable?
none of them are on the list

[Codeine]

28. Really? Flip-flops need to be listed?

Flip-flops aren't acceptable attire in any setting but the most completely and totally informal. I wouldn't show up to play boardgames at the local game store or even walk into Target in flip-flops, much less a courthouse.

Some things are self-evident, and if they aren't the fault is usually with the deliberately obtuse.

[superduperfarleft]

31. Mind readers? It's common fucking sense. n/t

[Vickers]

15. A t-shirt and flip flops?

:eyes:

A 63-year-old knows better than that.

My guess is she was intentionally trying to be a jerk and got called on it. Boo-hoo.

[Darth_Kitten]

17. Again, exactly.

:)

[JanMichael]

18. "sandals that could fit the definition of flip-flops"

I wonder what the sandals looked like...they don't sound as if they were the garden variety dollar store beach sandals.

[madmom]

22. Exactly, I have a pair of sandals that would technically be called flip flops but they

are dress sandals made of leather, high quality. I wear them with slacks all the time and the are not something I would wear to the beach or pool.:shrug:

[Born_A_Truman]

30. So do I

My Minnetonkas are "flip flop" type sandals and they are leather. I've worn them to court.



I own several styles and they are comfortable and I like the style.

[superduperfarleft]

32. T-shirt and sandals? And she thought that was acceptable in court?

What, was she raised by fucking wolves? What an idiot...