Yawning Proves Costly in Courtroom (Free Talking Class)

Story:

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Boredom proved costly to a potential juror who let out a loud yawn in a Los Angeles courtroom and was promptly ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Craig Veals found the man in contempt of court during an lengthy April 1 jury selection procedure when he waved his arms, yawned, and told the judge he was "really bored," court officials said on Wednesday.

Veals imposed a $1,000 fine but slashed it to $100 when the man protested as he turned up to pay a few days later. The man, whose identity was not revealed, was not selected to serve on a jury.

Under California law, judges can fine anyone up to $1,500 to enforce order in the courtroom. But lawyers and court officials said they had never heard of such a punishment for yawning.


Topic: Yawning


Title: Yawning Proves Costly

Source: Reuters

Level: Intermediate

Here is an excerpt of the article:

Boredom proved costly to a potential juror who let out a loud yawn in a Los Angeles courtroom and was promptly ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.



Vocabulary

boredom
courtroom
enforce
identity
impose(d)
judge(s)
juror
lengthy
official(s)
potential
procedure
prompt(ly)
protest(ed)
punish(ment)
reveal(ed)
slash(ed)
wave(d)
yawn(ing)

Interesting phrases:
contempt of court
impose a fine
jury selection
prove costly
turn up

Talking Points


Does a judge have the right to impose a fine on anyone who fails to maintain order in the court?

Do you think that yawning is a sign of rudeness?

Do you think this man should have been fined for yawning in court?

How serious do you think it is to disobey a judge's order?

For More Practice

Would you challenge a judge's decision if you thought it was too harsh?
Why or why not?

Pretend you are the man who got fined by the judge. What will you say to your friends?

Pretend you are the judge. It is dinner time. Tell your spouse about the yawning
incident in your courtroom.

Role play a situation in which someone is dismissed from a courtroom for unruly behavior.



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Source:
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