MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On Wednesday, former judge Joe Brown announced he would surrender himself into custody.
The announcement comes after the Tennessee Supreme Court denied to hear his appeal on contempt of court charges on August 14.
Brown released the following statement:
“I will not apologize for vigorously defending my client and demanding that the court follow the law. What I saw was a miscarriage of justice and I did what needed to be done.
I will serve the time and I will continue stand up and speak out for justice as I have done throughout my 40-year legal career.
When our courts don’t follow the rule of law, justice is in jeopardy for everyone. Thank you to all of my supporters. Your prayers and well wishes are appreciated.”
Brown originally got himself in trouble when he reportedly lost control during a March Juvenile Court hearing.
Juvenile Court Magistrate Harold Horne denied Brown’s request for that case to be dismissed, and that’s when Brown allegedly became verbally abusive.
A recording of the proceedings caught Brown saying in part, “On what authority do you sit by the way? As a former judge here, we have a rule in the 30th judicial district that says every single magistrate, referee has to be unanimously approved by every circuit, chancery, and criminal court judge. I don’t recall that your name’s ever been submitted sir!”
Horne warned Brown to calm down, but he did not.
Brown was given 24 hours in jail for contempt of court, but that increased to five days when he continued to yell as he was being removed from the courtroom saying, “This is a circus, sir. That’s three days. You can do all you want! Four days. You don’t have the jurisdiction. Five days.”
He is expected to surrender on Thursday.
