Aug. 21 (UPI) — A Michigan family announced through their attorney Wednesday they are suing Detroit Judge Kenneth King for ordering their teen daughter handcuffed after she fell asleep in the courtroom.
At a Wednesday press conference, attorney James Harrington of Fieger Law said, “Subjecting a minor to such public humiliation and violating her rights is unconscionable. Our legal system is built on principles of fairness and respect for all individual rights, and those who violate those rights should be held accountable for their actions.”
Eva Goodman, 15, was handcuffed during a field trip to court.
The suit alleges King required her to change into prisoner clothing and that she be put into jail while live streaming the incident and holding a mock trial.
The suit argues her civil rights were violated.
The suit said, “Defendant King’s extrajudicial actions violated the minor’s constitutional rights, subjecting him and other defendants to liability.”
The lawsuit said Goodman was the involuntary attendee of a guest lecture that her employer/vocational trainer arranged. King was the lecturer.
The suit alleges King felt personally disrespected.
“He berated the minor on a live platform, ordered her jailed, caused her to be handcuffed, demanded that she take off her clothes and change into jail garb, imprisoned her for hours, and then conducted a fake trial with her classmates (and possibly his Internet followers as her jurors and his audience,” the lawsuit said.
Defendants in the suit include the private security services at the court as well as two unidentified court officers present in the courtroom at the time.
King was removed from hearing cases by 36th District Court Judge William McConico, who said King would not return until he had undergone training.
McConico said in a statement, “Our thoughts and actions are now with the student and her family, and we are committed to taking these corrective measures to demonstrate that this incident is an isolated occurrence.”
The suit seeks $75,000 for each of eight alleged violations.