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Judge Joe Brown released from jail

Posted at 8:07 AM, Sep 01, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-01 09:39:40-04

Judge Joe Brown was released from jail early Tuesday morning, according to WREG.

Brown surrendered himself to police on August 27th to spend five days in jail for a contempt of court charge.

Brown originally got himself in trouble when he reportedly lost control during a March Juvenile Court hearing.

Just before he surrendered, 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.”

Juvenile Court Magistrate Harold Horne denied Brown’s request for a March 2015 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.”