Judge Threatens Town w/Contempt AGAIN! Ep 7.417

[@SucceedStrategically]

The Judge needs to tack on interest and legal fees as well.

[@carguy4658]

Court Costs and Lunches for the staff of the Court.

[@mdhofstee]

Oh trust me it will be tacked on once the County Sheriffs starts to auction off equipment.

[@thatotherguy4245]

It's small town N.C....thw chances of this actually being handled properly is close to zero

[@commoncents456]

@@mdhofstee Would that mean the town doesn't have the money?

[@mdhofstee]

@@commoncents456 Not necessarly. The DOT in a southwest state had the local sheriff come in and start to confiscate equipment for settlement and the next hour they had payment given to them. You threat to take actual possions the government tends to pay up or in one Bank of America when the a branch was shut down by the local police to start taking equipment.

[@rockym2931]

When a judge does the right thing, and sticks to it, that judge really deserves the respect of everyone. Because you can't take justice for granted.

[@Carahan]

Especially after the story of the defendant who had an alibi against murder if it wasn't for Hertz ignoring 2 subpoenas and 3 court orders without consequence from the judge. Then the judge went forward with a trial anyway. End result: five years in prison for a murder they did not commit.

[@admthrawnuru]

Someone put this judge on a federal appellate court, please (edit, OP's, not the one Carahan mentioned)

[@dawnclabaugh3598]

So true; there's a lot of INJUSTICE going on all across the nation daily and most is unaddressed. I know that from experience and research.

[@bsqwahlE]

When a judge is heroic for doing the right thing, you know the justice system is beyond f**ed up.

[@CarrotCakeMake]

Imagine being called a hero for simply not committing a crime, one time, and for very limited reasons.

[@MikinessAnalog]

To me, it doesn't matter if they spent it, gave it away or burned it, they must replace it according to the judge.

[@suednonymous8587]

What they did with the money doesn't matter to anyone with the same ability to think as a garden slug.

[@David0lyle]

They are fielding the “hookers and beer” defense. “Where did our money go.” “Don’t have it. It went to hookers and beer.”

[@uttcftptid4481]

With interest, and attorney's fees.

[@patersonplankrd]

Correct. The theory presented in court by the town legal team " we don't have HIS money" is specious. The judge correctly responded to that idea with " you have until( fill in the blank) to return the money or I will hold the town and it's officials in civil contempt of court Meaning, failure tk obey a lawful order by a judge, the named officials of the town can subject to inceration.

[@Sometimes_Always]

Judge Christine Underwood. American Hero. We need more people like her!!

[@theoneaboveall8625]

Yes sir

[@LambertZero]

It's very entertaining, but it feels like some kind of political show. Are you sure her honor is not planning to run for some kind of position? Maybe state assembly or senate or whatever?

[@notchomomma239]

@@LambertZero do you know how legal precedents work? Any lawyer in the country working a similar case can now cite this case as a "legal precedent." Who cares if she's running for office in the future, she set a legal ruling in favor of the people over corruption in city politics that will stay on the books so long as there's an America.

[@LambertZero]

@@notchomomma239 It's a valid point, and I agree, she did a good thing. It's just it looks a bit like a show. Although, to be fair, it might be mostly due to the reporting style.

[@jameskipp66]

The judge said, she's 'never had a civil contempt case where the defendant is a town... it's pretty standard...no different then your average, everyday deadbeat parent..'

[@Studio23Media]

The judge should've had the chief and town manager arrested at this most recent hearing for not complying with her order.

[@ianbattles7290]

How many times can the average citizen ignore a court order before they get arrested?

[@DaveT0818]

Give them each 10 days.. if the money has not been returned by the time the 10 days has passed.. give them 30 more days.. keep extending until they comply..

[@konagirl805]

First time in a LONG time I've come across a news story where government officials are threatened with arrest for wrongdoing. This needs to happen a lot more often.

[@commoncents456]

Well if you held the officers responsible also, maybe they would use common sense to make sure all the evidence is done properly. Just saying 😛

[@Nobody12409]

I wonder how long it will be before this becomes a question of qualified immunity...

[@Nebraska60]

The thing is though, they're not threatened with jail time for their wrong doing(stealing the money), they're being threatened with arrest for disobeying a judge's order.

[@schirpik]

@@commoncents456 i HAVE NO DOUBT IT WAS DONT BY THE BOOK but most people wont-cant fight to get their money cars-houses back from the police they drag it out and people have to give up and bingo the town and police gets it.

[@canondocre8650]

Indeed. And I will add that it needs to be more than a threat. Follow through is imperative.

[@johnhupp8444]

Who ever made the decision to send the money to the Feds should be held personally liable for the return of the money.

[@bkseitz]

I wonder if Judge should penalize the town for money laundering

[@zatoth13]

@@bkseitz imagine doing that with your state income taxes. “Oh, you want the $1200 I owe you? I gave that to the IRS!”

[@thatotherguy4245]

@@bkseitz I was about to say "this isn't money laundering because that is is reintegrating 'dirty' money back into the system"...and then I thought about it, and it absolutely is. Small town cops steal money, hand it to feds to hold until investigation/lawsuits blow over, then ask for it back.

[@bergmanoswell879]

@@zatoth13 Or better still, taxes owed to that town!

[@FUCKDSS]

It was a team effort ... unless some one talks hahaha

[@robertthomas5906]

Judge should have said - You're deadline has expired to return the money. You are now in contempt. Arrest the manager and the Chief of police. You'll stay in jail until you return his money.

[@neliosamch3195]

Unfortunately, bad things happen to good judges and lawyers whom do good.

[@unnecessaryexprmnt]

I agree. He just showed that his ruling has no teeth by letting them take ground (time extension)

[@timflavin7090]

@P Harrell can't be held in contempt without holding the keys to your release. Otherwise the judge would be in the wrong

[@bergmanoswell879]

@P Harrell That would make the judge guilty pf a ten years in prison felony for every person he ordered jailed that way.

[@longlowdog]

Just so long as the other inmates know who they were rubbing shoulders with...

[@computerbunnie]

Arrest the folks already seriously how many times will they keep disrespecting the court system and the JUDGE - if this was us - we would be in jail in a minute!

[@_Circus_Clapped_]

even better, auction off the police assets and property, they can't do civil forfeiture if they don't have a base of operations

[@tommylawrence4794]

Sent it to the Feds!?!?! Once they realized that they wouldn't be able to keep they did everything they could to make it nearly impossible to get it back. Lock them all up!!!

[@steventrostle1825]

And throw away the key!

[@_Circus_Clapped_]

you know what sounds even better? auctioning off public servant's property to a date to pay off the victim, they'll find 17,000 dollars in a heartbeat in fact cut out all their pensions and they'll beg for mercy

[@bobreiss1]

Looking forward to hearing whether or not the town manager and/or chief of police spend time in jail.

[@jeremypike9153]

I'm willing to bet they find the money to pay the man.

[@thatotherguy4245]

You are waiting on a politician or cop to serve jail time? I have some bad news for you...

[@commoncents456]

I would say the police union has it.

[@aarongreenfield9038]

@@jeremypike9153 Yeah, you just know they are going to drag it out to the very last second.

[@lawrencewheeler8868]

@@thogevoll nothing as permanent as a temporary tax, lol!

[@otpyrcralphpierre1742]

The man whose money was TAKEN from him should also be awarded interest and damages. And as to who to send to arrest the Chief of Police, you can send the State Police, the Sheriff, or the U.S. Marshall's Office.

[@Rebelrocker69]

I came down here to comment this exact thing. The (city or town) Chief of Police isn't some monolithic untouchable person. There is always someone who has more power/authority.

[@elainesteinmetz9710]

send a sheriff...he has more power than a state trooper....lol

[@cravinmoorhead5518]

@@Rebelrocker69 winchester

[@cravinmoorhead5518]

@@elainesteinmetz9710 13timesround1loop1tree

[@johnmorgan1629]

Town to Feds: We want our money back. Feds: But you told us it was the proceeds of crime. Town: But it wasn't. We need to give it back. Feds: Sucks to be you

[@stevefuller2755]

Town sues Feds, calls the money owner as a witness, “Isn’t it true that we seized your $17K illegally. Isn’t it true that we broke the law?”

[@bobspizza7444]

Hahahahaha

[@LegoTux]

They just didn't say who committed the crime, and now the feds are an accessory to to the crime.

[@timan2039]

So the money is the proceeds of a crime, the cities crime... soooo the Feds have a point. They City is stuck with a bill for 17K, this gives me a warm feeling.

[@bchill757]

😂😂😂

[@rarelibra]

Steve - reminds me of my situation years ago. I was arrested in 1999 and found "not guilty" ... waited a while, and had the charges expunged. I sent the forms to the state police, who deleted it from their system, and to the arresting department, which is a corrupt PD on the south side of Chicago (many of them in that area) ... when I received no answer, I went to the PD and produced the court order. They said it was "in archive" and would "take a while" to get. I contacted the chief of police, and he ignored me. So I contacted the judge... I'm pretty sure the judge reminded the chief of police that it is a felony to violate a court order in the state of IL, because I received the original documents/reports via FedEx the next day. It would have been fun seeing court officers from the county going to the PD and arresting the chief of police on a warrant for violation of a court order. Sometimes you need to "motivate" them.

[@musclesmouse]

You send county sheriff

[@ricksturdevant2901]

So happy to hear @rarelibra comments, that story really makes me happy and made my day 👍👏👌😁 p.s. I just realized I'm a Libra ♎️ 🤪 also 65 on Oct. 11th

[@ahnbra]

The USA needs more Judges like this!! I have total respect for this Judge.

[@nicholas_scott]

If you read the response from the towns lawyers yesterday, they have absolutely no remorse. They said the judge is wrong, and they are right, and they are going for another appeal, and expect to win. This is insanity.

[@richardcranium5839]

@@E.Asinus and the lawyer disbarred

[@Nebraska60]

They're monsters.

[@Stacksmusic]

It’s all an ego thing on the lawyer and towns part. They will never admit they were wrong and that’s what’s wrong with some city/town politics now. Too many narcissistic ppl in charge.

[@cravinmoorhead5518]

@@Nebraska60 3030wins

[@Kaliburz]

@@Stacksmusic yup... the 'we are goberment and can't be wrong...'

[@ljwhitmire200]

Here's the problem: the judge has to quit threatening and actually lock some people up.

[@_Circus_Clapped_]

liquidate their pensions, they'll start crying and killing themselves to pay off the 17 grand

[@ianbattles7290]

"A threat without consequences is merely a suggestion."

[@ratsofatso5525]

Procedure needs to be followed. Can't just steal their pension money. It's not Social Security.

[@happykill123]

@@ratsofatso5525 "Can't just steal their pension money." go tell that to New Jersey.

[@barmanvarn]

Can the judge not just start seizing city-owned assets to cover the costs? I'm think of that story where the man won against Bank of America and when they didn't pay up he showed up at one of the branches w/ a U-haul and started taking stuff (lawfully)

[@ConservativeVoicesUniversity]

The little guy finally got a win...hurray to this Judge 😊

[@phillipsofthedriver]

"Who's gonna arrest the chief of police?" **County sheriff rolls up**

[@tanall5959]

**State Troopers waiting in line.**

[@timhawks6101]

State Police.

[@george2113]

Federal Marshall

[@georgelewis9127]

County Marshal. He is an officer of the court.

[@phillipsofthedriver]

@@georgelewis9127 dependa on the state.

[@flakesinyershoe8137]

The punishment for the contempt should be an extra thousand dollars per day it takes to comply.

[@setablaze513]

And not from tax payer dollars

[@ludditeneaderthal]

@@setablaze513 why? Those taxpayers voluntarily employed those thieves. "Your choices have consequences". You are responsible for the misdeeds of your employees during their employment duties. That electorate only sees the downside of poor decisions if they "take a haircut" over those decisions.

[@forgalzz7]

@@ludditeneaderthal The fact that modern day USA has a lot of representation without taxation renders that logic moot. Paying taxes is currently not required to be able to vote.

[@ludditeneaderthal]

@@forgalzz7 EVERYBODY pays taxes. If you buy anything, you "pay taxes". Unless you live like the unibomber, including eating varmints, you are a tax payer.

[@forgalzz7]

@@ludditeneaderthal Not sure that every voter pays in more than they get out.

[@bartonthom4166]

The Judge is truly an American hero in that he is not allowing the police to steal a man's property ( money ) with out just compensation, the return of his money.

[@elavke5441]

She

[@ninaappelt9001]

The judge is a woman.

[@timothyreilly8394]

@@elavke5441 are you sure those are her/she/them perferred pronouns? I think you are wrong. I think it is ze/zem/ zemiz.

[@timothyreilly8394]

@@ninaappelt9001 the judges is a nuet.

[@timothyreilly8394]

Zemis is not allowing a cis non binding amalgam to have his money stolen without just compensation of money??? I don't know who you are but your a freaking genius. We must hang out, so your genius can rub off on me!

[@atsylor5549]

The town should find out who’s genius plan was it to suddenly ship the money to the feds once they realized the guy was going to court to get it back. They might want to take 17 grand out of that persons salary. That would be nice

[@robertrosenthal7264]

Arrest him. I can't remember the name of the charge, but I've heard that if you know an asset might be forfeit or whatever in a case, you can't legally dispose of it by any means. Sending it to anyone else is definitely a violation of that. (ianal, just another loudmouth in the chats)

[@notamouse5630]

@@robertrosenthal7264 The term is dissipation of assets and its a tort where bad faith is invariably clear and evident.

[@robsanchez5742]

Do you really think they just gave it to the Feds? Maybe they purchase a new armored car from the feds, but I doubt they just gave it away!

[@atsylor5549]

@@robsanchez5742 yeah they gave it to the feds. But they did it for a sneaky reason. When departments turn over money to the feds. The feds then give them a percentage of it back. So since they couldn’t legally keep it themselves. They can give it to the feds and then get a piece of it back. This was just a way to keep some of the money.

[@shawncarroll5255]

There is abundant precedent here - transferring the money to someone else the day before a divorce court hearing general ends very badly for the soon-to-be-ex-spouse trying those shenanigans...

[@peterd2587]

As retired LE I agree, that judge “Rocks”

[@mattclements1933]

The City of Mooresville disliked this video.

[@pcproffy]

Love this judge. Now it's time for them to also award TREBLE DAMAGES! Further, border patrol should also be charged with receiving stolen money.

[@jagmarz]

What we need is a new form of civil asset forfeiture. Like, maybe the judge will order all the office furniture in the police department sold and that money turned back over to the citizen.

[@mr.mckinnon5680]

Art. Municipalities don't buy furniture... They buy art. Furniture Trends come and go depending on marketing and advertising... and the season. But Priceless works of art, can be borrowed against as assets.

[@ghostest1719]

Part of the town's problem is that civil asset forfeiture is illegal in North Carolina (the state this is located). That's why the police were supposed to return the money when it was not part of the criminal case.

[@mjengel84]

What would be hilarious is the judge issues a seizure order and the Sheriff confiscates assets to be auctioned off to pay the debt!

[@pondartinc4002]

@@E.Asinus Hey old guy, young bucks won't know what a huffy is.

[@Bshwag]

@True Jew Thats shell game, where you put something under 1 of three shells then move them around. Shill is a person payed for some sort of good review or other service.

[@gino007able]

they are at it again: June 9, 2021: Mooresville was on the receiving end of a preliminary injunction Wednesday as Judge Mark Klass ruled in the favor of two men who had roughly $14,000 seized from them in May by the Mooresville Police Department.

[@lloydbylsma28]

Haven't learned anything have they.

[@fasthackm]

I'm a former cop & USAF Vet. I support police REFORM & DEFUNDING!!

[@blondluck4621]

I loved the argument that "We gave the money away so we can't return it." The logical response from the judge would be, "Are you seriously standing here in my court and confessing on the record to one count of felony theft?"

[@reginaschellhaas1395]

When fencing stolen goods, I believe all parties have some form of responsibility. Now, we have people fencing to the Feds?

[@jasonleslie203]

That's when is a judge you say "okay that's fine we're going to start taking away all of your assets including your Homes, personal vehicles, everything in your bank accounts, etc in order to compensate this man" And we'll see just how motivated they get to trying to get it back

[@michaelcoll433]

What about court costs, attorney's fees and interest on the money. There should also be some sort of punitive damages.

[@thatgirlwhousedtohavereall5549]

I was wondering about that too. He had to pay the attorney to represent him in court four times. It’s almost as if they are trying to force him to spend as much money as possible because they know they were proven wrong.

[@terrygoyan]

Mooresville learns a new word, fungible! Good on the judge....

[@robertrosenthal7264]

They've been told it, but they don't seem to be very adept at learning their lessons...

[@Shango]

If I wasn't told the meaning of the word, I'd guess it had something to do with food. I also had a crazy assumption about the meaning of "lucrative" before I learned its true meaning.

[@vlock1911]

This is poetic justice. I love it. This judge rules. Well done!

[@donniemoore8937]

Reminds me of the cartoon of a little boy with two ice cream cones, one of them missing the ice cream, telling his friend "I dropped yours".

[@garygemmell3488]

I can hear the town's argument right now if they were to try to get the money back from the Feds: "You have no right to keep the money because we had no right to give it to you because we had no right to seize it."

[@handynothandsome261]

*Feds: “Well, now... seems you’re in-between what we ‘G-men’ refer to as “a rock and a hard place!” BAAAAA HAA HAA HAAA!!*

[@JoeBlack_The_Lord_of_Blackness]

Town: "No seriously give it back." Feds: "Umm sorry we don't have it anymore, we gave the money to Syria."

[@robertambrosini4442]

"Hey rookie!" "Yes Sir?" "Go arrest the Chief of Police."

[@demetricklouis5710]

I think that the Sheriff would be called upon to serve the warrant.

[@kennethpollard5041]

Very few judges have any honor whatsoever, it is nice to see that there may be a few in this day and age that still stick to their oaths.

[@rogerdewhurst5750]

Australia has the best judges that money can buy.

[@rogerdewhurst5750]

Perhaps second best.

[@LordThatch]

@@rogerdewhurst5750 nice one

[@dizzydinonysius]

A judge who simply did her job 'correctly' is deemed a 'HERO'? Let that sink in a bit.

[@lamorgan2006]

Love it, love it, love it. Definitely should happen more often, like everyday. Corruption should be called out all the time, and the cops should be made to pay for their egos personally. No more qualified immunity, or investigations into themselves,

[@williamfulsom2428]

This Judge just might be a hero for a second time to me,🎖. This case will be in my memory for the rest of my time. Both the judge, and the case, will cause me to smile. Good form your, "Honor."

[@RealCyclops]

Could the judge order the police department to provide a record of all communications relating to this money and its transfer to the feds. If there is a conspiracy to send it to the Feds for the sole purpose of getting out of paying him back, have someone charged with fraud (cause that's basically what that was).

[@l.e.alvord6171]

It's not fraud it is fraud but it's also malfeasance of law that means some purpose or intent to break the law

[@LegoTux]

The Judge needs to also hold the elected officials in contempt too, town council, mayor, selectmen, whatever, they all have the authority to return the plaintiff's money.

[@jamstagerable]

That is exactly why the judge has held _"The Town"_ in contempt. That is technically holding all that are responsible in contempt.

[@bbrut3332]

Add the city attorrneys to the list going to jail.

[@Chris_Lohmann]

9:41 The Canadian Robot Lady: I went to the bookstore and asked the sales woman, “Where’s the self-help section?” And she said, “If I told you, it would defeat the purpose.” Me: Wait, people still go to book stores? 🤔

[@barence321]

Also, "What is a bookstore?"

[@christophercarrigg3775]

Definitely looking forward to a third update Steve

[@krpinckney]

You send the County Sheriff, an elected Constable, or State Police to arrest a Police Chief. Here in Texas it might go to the Texas Rangers. 'and it would be hilarious...

[@wildfire160]

That`s exactly what i thought..we`ve seen this before where a city PD has arrested the county sheriff and the county sheriff has arrested someone from the city PD,not sure how often it happens but it definitely has happened...

[@SeanBaker]

Send Walker!!

[@richardinman4091]

@@SeanBaker You read my mind. Lets Vote on which Walker....Chuck or Jared.....I vote Chuck

[@randyspencersr.4927]

Your forgot to include the Game Warden's .

[@cornfed123567]

@@randyspencersr.4927 alot of people don't realize that game wardens are the highest state level police

[@nichenson7987]

Just love it when the nearest town makes national news. This is why I live in the county. OH, to answer your question, the Iredell Sheriff's Office would be responsible for arresting the chief since it would be a county bench warrant. If they don't want to or prefer to pass the buck, it would fall on the NCSBI.

[@dontorelli3446]

I love it. I imagine that PC and City Manager ruled that city with a very heavy hand. You are right, that Judge is an American Hero.

[@suzannehartmann946]

The best possible outcome for that city is either those two are arrested forcing them to resign or they just see the handwriting on the wall and go quietly.

[@liamlians2991]

Love to hear stories like this where municipalities are actually held accountable for their violations.

[@ethanpoole3443]

This is absolutely precious! That is a judge I have real respect for as this decades old scam of civil asset forfeiture and charging money with a crime rather than a person just to try and avoid constitutionally protected civil rights must finally come to an end once and for all as it is inherently corrupting, as demonstrated by this very case with the town seemingly believing that they should be above and beyond the reach of the law, and the Constitution, when seizing private property without cause “just because they can”!

[@cashstore1]

I forgot about this, thanks for the follow up. I don't like the idea that the cops got away with searching the car without a warrant. No punishment for that behavior so they will keep doing it.

[@KoJo-qh9od]

The cops will be told to knock it off if it cost the city manager and the chief. Shit runs downhill.

[@lisagrafton2529]

I hope he doesn't live there. They'll probably retaliate by stopping him for "traffic violations" all the time, and may try to set him up by planting drugs in his home or vehicle

[@future62]

He doesn't but his daughter does, which is even worse. They need to throw the whole damn municipality away.

[@WhereWhatHuh]

Screwing with a judge is a very, very, bad idea, regardless where he lives. Not only do judges tend to have friends on the bench, I would not like to be part of a police force charged with false arrest and malicious prosecution. Any police officer who was ordered to arrest someone related to the judge would be well-advised to put his badge down and walk away. I am not a lawyer, this is not advice.

[@chitlitlah]

@@WhereWhatHuh I think he was referring to the plaintiff.

[@williamfulsom2428]

Sadly, retaliation is probably going to be a reality for this man. It is one of law enforcements favorite games to play.

[@WhereWhatHuh]

@@chitlitlah Oh. In that case, the bad outcome of a false arrest/malicious prosecution would depend on which judge drew the case...

[@guitaristxcore]

What I love most about this case is that the city has probably lost more in court costs defending themselves than it would have cost to just pay the guy his money. When you elect crooks this is what your tax dollars go to.

[@glassman1533]

The city is hoping that an appeals court somewhere down the line will exonerate them. They would then a) still retain the right to conduct this type of activity and b) offset the mounting legal costs by engaging in increased forfeiture activity. Actually, mounting legal bills do not necessarily lead to more out of pocket costs. It depends on how good your insurance is.

[@guitaristxcore]

@Jebus Hypocristos when citizens elect these criminals over and over again they get what they vote for.

[@geraldfrost4710]

So, could the citizens of the city sue the corrupt officials? To take the homes of the officials for their nonsense? Clearly the losses incurred by the city are due to the incompetence/greed of the officers of the city. Clearly such things as the cost of the attorney defending the city officials is personal use of city funds. Obvious civil case. (yeah, yeah, yeah. argue your case at $5 per word.)

[@VaxtorT]

This is So Awesome!! God Bless this Judge. He is a True American Hero.

[@freeideas]

THANK GOD for this judge. We all know such situations are wrong. Finally a judge stands up to this blight on our country.

[@Black2th]

It happened here in Epsom, NH. Our own town officers had to arrest the chief, years ago. Late 90s

[@danielpalmer8324]

Love this! Hope it starts happening more. That judge is a hero!👍

[@WhereWhatHuh]

It sets a precedent within NC. In theory, attorneys in other jurisdictions could use it in briefs to support their rationale, although it would not be _stare decisis_ in those jurisdictions.

[@2TROLL1]

This reminds me of the case where someone gets money accidentally deposited in their checking account and then they spend it and said I can't give it back; the store has it', sue the store.

[@reginaschellhaas1395]

Thanks for the follow up, and explaining this so well. The man doesn't have to the $$$ that he touched with his very own fingertips...fungible is a great concept. Place the thieves in personal jeopardy and, hopefully, things will change. They should also refund legal fees and interest, otherwise, they have still stolen additional fungible funds from the citizen. Looking forward to episode three...

[@unijabnx2000]

thank you for this update... i literally just randomly saw the video about the morrisville issue.. and tried to find an update on the local news yt channel.. and after few clicks... i saw this and am happy it was related.

[@mjengel84]

A conversation overheard: Moresville Police Officer #1: How long do we have to be out here shaking down motorists? Moresville Police Officer #2: Until we have $17,000... the Chief doesn't want to spend another night in jail!

[@DHFlip18]

This judge is a goal goddamn LEGEND!

[@bullinmd]

In Texas, if no Texas Rangers (police) are involved, the Texas Rangers (police) can enforce the judge's orders.

[@WhereWhatHuh]

To clarify: You're saying that the baseball team has no police powers? (kidding, don't shoot)

[@llerradish]

Sounds like a good honest judge. We need more of them.

[@stevedixon921]

Feds: thanks for the donation! Town: we kinda need the money back to appease the court Feds: what money?

[@shentino]

Then the town should sue the feds :) But the victim shouldn't have to wait for the town to get its money back from the feds because it's the town's fault the feds wound up with it in the first place.

[@stevedixon921]

@@shentino Maybe throw the head honcho (mayor?) in jail for contempt? Might loosen a few strings. Maybe seize and auction off city hall's assets to pay the bill (like the city can do to YOUR assets)? Victim should be paid by the court, court to be paid by the city (courts have teeth). Too bad that won't be a thing.

[@georgeh6856]

If he ever gets the $17K back, they will pay him in greasy pennies.

[@DAVIDBrown-zp8sz]

Somebody should FOIA the town or feds to see if the town actually did transfer the money or if they lied to the court. Or was it already proven in court.

[@robsanchez5742]

Came here to find and upvote this comment!! No way they gave that money away.

[@Bob-Lob-Law]

That word " fungible" was on my list of words to look up this week I saw it on the news and had no idea what it meant Once again Steve to the literary rescue

[@rnash999]

Frangible is next on the list.

[@MichaelPohoreski]

A perfectly cromulent word. /s ;-)

[@roryross3878]

@@MichaelPohoreski 😆😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@roryross3878]

@@MichaelPohoreski Indeed Lisa, indeed

[@moi01887]

1. Love the Puddles shirt! 2. Re the little blurb at the end (about self-help)... a friend in high school had a VW Beetle and wanted to buy a book called "It's easy to fix your Volkswagen". He asked me where in the bookstore he should look for it, I told him the "fiction" section. True story!

[@BMJCARPENTRY]

Gives me hope that we're giving justice back for the citizens themselves!!

[@firsttpt]

The judge is going to have to threaten to take away their one bullet too before they'll do anything.

[@robertrosenthal7264]

Oh man, if it wasn't for reruns I would have no idea what that was a reference to!

[@toddmetzger]

Where's Sheriff Andy when we need him?

[@2step407]

The Judge will send Wake County Sheriffs deputies to serve the warrant here in NC.

[@anneirenej]

This really made me smile. Ilive in a small town and can see something like this happening here.

[@bigdogpete43]

Mooresville isn't that small. It home of Lowes corporate and thousands work there.

[@nancycordero-severance7661]

🤣🤣😂😅just love the way you explain these crazy cases. Putting a humorous spin on it just makes my day!

[@johngalt4657]

God Bless the Judge!!! Thank you!!!

[@johnscully1924]

For the question "who do you send to arrest the chief of police" the answer is usually a county sheriff or state trooper.

[@HippieLongHaired]

Me me me! Send me! I'll cuff him and stuff him.

[@angstandvexed]

I like this Judge, and thank you for covering this story.

[@StevenEverett7]

I LOVE it! Hope they can't get the money right away. Their chief and manager in jail for a few days.😁 I'll bet it gets returned then!!! Cheers, Steve

[@TheSiriusEnigma]

The real fun start when the plaintiff seize the police station and sell it to cover the dept.

[@welltell.]

This judge is a hero for doing the right thing!!! That is the most scariest statement i have ever heard in my life. Do people expect their judges to do the wrong thing all the time?

[@obelisktoucher4562]

Town: “We’re going to sue you Feds to get the money back!!!” Feds: “Uh... sovereign immunity?”

[@tylermacdermott5467]

To arrest the Chief I'd send the Sheriff or the Marshal. If he refused to turn himself in that is. Now I'm thinking about that scene from Jango.

[@vancomycinb]

Yeah, I was going to say the Sheriff can do it.

[@aladdinsnightmare7375]

Send Batman

[@ShadowMokujin]

Judge: return his money Town: what if we dont? Judge: fuck around and find out

[@nuttzandboltzgarage1946]

Thank GOD. A judge doing their job keeping justice BLIND

[@byronrios4005]

Keep doing a great job sharing the truth God bless.

[@Nickle314]

FOI requests when it comes to the accounts, to see if the money and the cheque was cashed, or not. In other words, did they tell the truth or not, in court.

[@robertrosenthal7264]

Since there is a judge involved, he could just demand they provide such proof. If I were the judge, I would, as they are obviously a shady bunch of conmen & thieves.

[@Nickle314]

@@robertrosenthal7264 Correct. Then you can do them for perjury. Puts the town's lawyer in a difficult position. He's not allowed to lie. He's on oath automatically. He would have to reveal who told him about the cheque. That person is then called in, put on oath, and asked to account for themselves.

[@smhedge]

You asked who can you get to arrest the Chief of Police. Just get the Sheriff to do it. It would be like the police arresting the Sheriff in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.

[@thomasridley8675]

I love it when people are stuck on a pole of their own design.

[@RegularJoe419]

Gotta love it! Keep us updated Steve I’d love to see one of those kangaroo municipalities get their asses locked up

[@J0HN_3_16]

Oil is not fungible. Oil from different regions has different qualities which explains the price difference. In every state the elected Sheriff is the highest law enforcement authority in the county and can arrest any police. In many states the coroner is the only one who can arrest the elected sheriff. The City should owe interest and a fine for illegal seizing the money.

[@Nickle314]

Barrels of oil are not quite fungible. They are different qualities and specifications. Within the spec, they barrels are fungible.

[@shaunmark1]

Steve, please start a GoFund me, all of us will throw in, and we will get this Judge a Trophy because he is the absolute winner of humanity.

[@rockyroad7345]

She.

[@donnlowe9129]

The judge is a female!

[@Joshua-ew6ks]

To bad the Judge did not order attorney fees and statutory interest.

[@jacqueslefave4296]

If true, that would be a shame. The guy likely paid out far more in legal fees and costs than the $17,000.

[@ppgwhereeverett4412]

I have read the title and laughed my butt off !! And now I will watch the video.

[@Robdogdad]

another great show.....thanks Steve

[@artcamp7]

I hope the thieves don't give it back because that would be fun to see them arrested

[@chipinnc]

Thank you so much for covering this!!

[@cicigrace2208]

$17,000 is a lot of money. They basically robbed this guy now that will pay for it.

[@brikbrokly5272]

A judge like this makes me feel a little better about America 🙂

[@handynothandsome261]

*I can tell you who shows up to arrest the chief of police- the county sheriff! (Or the state police, if the sheriff is unavailable)...* *THANK YOU for giving us some GOOD news about “civil asset theft.” It is so rare, that when we see it, our hope is nearly restored.*