‘Do Not Do It Again!’: No-Nonsense Michigan Judge Humiliates Arrogant Attorney for Disrespecting Courtroom Protocol During Explosive Hearing

A Michigan defense attorney landed in hot water during a recent hearing when a judge known for grumpy outbursts reprimanded him for forgetting his manners in court. The unidentified attorney broke courtroom protocol by arguing directly with prosecutors during an objection, making him the latest in a steady stream of courtroom dramas involving Washtenaw County Judge J. Cedric Simpson, known for his irascible temperament on the bench. Washtenaw County District Judge J. Cedric Simpson (Photo: TikTok video screenshot/courttv.247) “Don’t play with me,” Simpson warned in a fatherly tone after the attorney stepped out of line during proceedings last month. Simpson, who has gained social media fame over the past year for his zero-tolerance approach and fiery reprimands against defendants who dare to challenge his authority, delivered another outburst during a videotaped court session from August that has since gone viral on YouTube. However, this time, it was a lawyer who faced the wrath of the testy judge after he fired off a rebuttal directly at the prosecutor instead of addressing the bench as required. This broached an unspoken rule, as attorneys are expected to address the judge, not each other, during formal objections to maintain decorum in the proceedings. Given...