Tying up court over an ascot

By: dmc-admin//January 14, 2008//

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On Jan. 8, one of the misdemeanor courts in Milwaukee came to a halt for nearly three hours because a prosecutor came to the courtroom wearing an ascot rather than a tie. Courthouse rules state that male attorneys will wear ties when appearing in court.

As reported the following day, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge William Sosnay found that Warren Zier’s decision to wear an ascot into court “bordered on contemptuous.”

The issue goes beyond a question of fashion to one of respect for the court and for those who are appearing in court. The fact that there is a courthouse rule calling for ties should be sufficient to wrap things up.

Instead of discussing the business of the court as it related to defendant Bryan Collins, there was a discussion of appropriate neckwear.

There’s no way you can dress that up and make the justice system look good.

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