Ironically, his cousin, who was scheduled to be sentenced, only got probation. But Clifton, who went to court to support his cousin, would go straight to jail. In the aftermath of this story, discussions ensued on cable news channels about judicial power, about Judge Rozak's history of passing down extreme contempt charges, and even about the nature of yawning.

Clifton's father argued that a yawn is an involuntary action. The prosecutor in the courtroom that day said, "It was not a simple yawn-it was a loud and boisterous attempt to disrupt the proceedings." Was Clifton's yawn a premeditated first-degree offense? Will the truth about the yawn ever emerge? However innocuous or flagrant the yawn, Clifton Williams probably wishes he would have held it in.

In the end, Clifton only served a few days of the six-month sentence. But after the case was over the question still lingered:

Was the judge's penalty excessive? Some people reacted with disbelief; others were outraged, but almost everyone (except Judge Rozak) agreed that the punishment did not fit the crime. Of course the judge had the authority to hand down a contempt sentence against Clifton. 

Judges have broad discretion under the law on the issue of contempt charges. But was the judgment fair? Was it just?

I can't answer that, nor would anyone listen to me if I could accurately do so.  My point is this:  We may or may not have judges on planet earth that always get things right, but we DO have a judge that is always just, always fair, and always right.

"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is  our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us."  Isaiah 33:22

Isn't it nice to know that you actually have a judge that is in your corner today?

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word