What?
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Get back.
You get back.
Get back.
NARRATOR: Next we go to a bond hearing in Elyria, Ohio.
Appearing remotely is the defendant, Ebony Burks.
She's charged with misdemeanor assault and domestic violence
against her grandfather, Shedric McCray and his companion.
At the bench is Judge Gary Bennett.
Good morning, Ms. Burks.
Good morning.
NARRATOR: After reading the charges,
the judge asks Burks how she'd like to plead.
You have three please available to you today--
guilty, not guilty, no contest.
What plea would you enter?
Not guilty.
NARRATOR: So far so good.
The judge sets bond for the two charges at $15,000.
His only condition is that Burks not be in contact
with the victims, which could be difficult since she
shares a home with McCray.
No contact means you can't call him.
You can't write him.
You can't text him.
You can't email him.
Can't leave a message on some social media.
You can't go visit him.
If you go someplace, even though you may have arrived first,
and one of them shows up, you have to leave.
Are you telling me I can't go home?
I'm telling you you can't go home.
If you live with Mr. McCray, you cannot
return to that residence.
Oh, but how are you going to tell me I can't go to my house?
What?
How are you going to tell me I can't go to my house?
I just did.
NARRATOR: Typically, right about now, a lawyer, or even a judge,
might try to de-escalate the situation.
But it's clear.
This is not a typical bond hearing.
How are you going to tell me I can't go to my house?
I just did.
Well, I bet I do.
Well then, you're in contempt, young lady,
and you've got 30 days.
So you're not going-- - Got it.
You're not-- what?
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Get back.
You get back.
Get back.
That's another 30 days.
That's 60 days.
So what?
90 days.
120 days.
OK, and?
180 days.
Move.
Please, quiet.
Get off me.
Get your hands off me, man.
NARRATOR: It looks like Burks may be finished.
What else you got to say?
NARRATOR: Hold on.
She's coming back.
Nothing.
We'll talk in six months when you're ready to come
back for your case.
Bye.
That's 200 days.
You got anything else to say, Miss Burks?
[BEEP] you.
That's 300 days.
NARRATOR: Though she racked up 300 days,
Burks only ended up serving 88.
According to Judge Bennett, it was
the longest sentence he's ever imposed for contempt of court.
As for her assault and domestic violence charges,
they were suspended, but she was forced to enter
a substance abuse program.
Sorry, Your Honor.
Not as sorry as she's going to be.
NARRATOR: Next up is Michael Ray,
who's facing four charges, including criminal trespassing
and second degree assault. A bond or a bail hearing
is usually a quick proceeding if the defendant is cooperative.
The prosecutor suggests a bail amount for Ray
based on the crime and the defendant's history.
SPEAKER: Defendant, the county's requesting $25,000
full cash bond, all charges.
You think that's funny?
We weren't done.
NARRATOR: Ray might feel $25,000 is too high,
but sarcasm won't get him a reduction,
and the judge lets him know it.
All right, so bond is $50,000, no bail credit--
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
Thinks these are funny charges.
He was lucky I didn't hold him in contempt.
NARRATOR: Ray just had his bond doubled.
But as he reenters the hallway, he has something else to say.
Bring him in here.
I'm holding him in contempt, adding charges.
NARRATOR: Ray's language isn't the only thing
to upset the judge.
According to court officials, the defendant also
gave her the middle finger.
30 days to serve on contempt for flipping me off twice.
NARRATOR: Judge calls him back, but it looks like he's gone.
If we bring him back in, he's just going to get 30
days for doing something else.
NARRATOR: So they move on to the next case.
Case number 90, Scott Ramer.
NARRATOR: When sure enough, Ray comes back for more.
Oh, here he comes.
Sir, I'm holding you in contempt for what you did.
And so--
JUDGE: All right, you can take him back.
100 days to serve.
ASSISTANT: 100 days to serve?
I don't care.
NARRATOR: That's right, the judge
just gave him 100 days in jail.
He's done.
SPEAKER: Ray could just walk away
without making matters even worse,
but he goes a different route.
Yeah, I think we need to--
Yeah.
Can we bring him back?
He's going to be charged.
SPEAKER: I want to charge him for threatening.
Yes.
NARRATOR: What started out as four serious charges has grown
into a grand total of 10 on the span
of approximately three minutes.
Yeah.
No, I figure that's just a lesson on what not to do,
so you all are good.
NARRATOR: Next, we're in Las Vegas,
Nevada for an arraignment hearing.
"City versus Joshua Martinez."
NARRATOR: Joshua Martinez is representing
himself after being charged for driving
with a suspended license.
JUDGE: On the charge of having a suspended driver's
license on April 12th.
What is your plea, sir?
Just I have a couple of questions before we proceed.
I don't understand the nature and cause of the charges.
You're charged with driving on a suspended, canceled,
or revoked driver's license.
NARRATOR: Sounds pretty cut and dry.
Well, not to Martinez, who apparently wants
to dig in to the legal details.
OK.
Is there a sworn statement against me or injured party?
I believe you probably received
a citation on April 12th.
That would be the criminal complaint filed against you.
OK.
And is there an injured party or damage to property?
The charge brought by the city of Las Vegas, sir.
OK, so the City is the victim in the case?
The city is the--
yes, the charging--
So they're the victim?
NARRATOR: Whatever direction Martinez
is trying to take things, Commissioner Ann
Ellsworth is not going there.
What is your-- [INTERPOSING VOICES]
If the city is--
Mr. Martinez.
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
If they are the victim, I would like to move
this to a federal court.
I am in charge of this courtroom
and you're going to stop inter--
No, we are in charge of the courtroom.
NARRATOR: It may be called the People's Court,
but the judge is about to show who's actually in charge here.
Marshal, would you show Mr. Martinez the inside
of our holding tank, please?
You're not going to tell me who's in charge
of my courtroom, Mr. Martinez.
Go ahead and go with the Marshal.
That is direct contempt of court.
NARRATOR: Martinez is temporarily
removed from the courtroom.
Then about 20 minutes later, he's
brought back in to be sentenced for his newly acquired
contempt of court charge.
OK, Mr. Martinez, since you have informed me
that I am in contempt of court and that you are, in fact,
in charge of this courtroom, I'm going
to go ahead and sentence you today
to direct contempt of court.
I will give you an opportunity to apologize, if you choose
to do so, and behave in a manner that I consider
appropriate for a courtroom.
Would you like to do that today, Mr. Martinez?
What would I apologize for?
It is a yes or a no question.
What would I be apologizing for?
For your direct contempt of court, sir.
All I was asking was legal questions, ma'am.
I disagree, sir.
I'm going to ask you the question one more time.
Did you wish to apologize and proceed in a manner
I consider appropriate in this courtroom or not?
Direct contempt.
I'm going to sentence him to 15 days in jail.
Thank you.
The Sixth Amendment grants me that.
Sir, I would suggest you stop speaking now.
NARRATOR: Martinez would be jailed for 15
days for contempt of court.
His original charge of driving without a license