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Man Gets 120 Days in Jail after Swearing at Broward Judge

December 21, 2009 Posted in Social Media Tagged in legal Share

Brian Noval learned an important lesson: Never talk back to a judge.

According to WFOR-Ch. 4, Noval's bond hearing Wednesday in front of Broward Circuit Judge John Hurley began like most hearings do -- Noval's name was called, the charges read and bail set.

But Noval, in jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence, objected when Hurley ordered him held without bail.

"Going after somebody with a knife," Hurley said. "The court finds there's a danger to the victim."

Noval looked stunned. He asked the judge if he was kidding.

"I'm not kidding you," Hurley replied. "You're not going anywhere."

Noval walked away and called the judge a couple of names. People in the courtroom gasped and laughed.

"What did he say?" Hurley asked. "Bring him back. Sir, what did you just say when you walked away?"

Noval said he used an expletive because he believed the charges against him had been changed.

"This court is inclined to hold you in contempt of court," Hurley said, asking Noval if there was anything he wanted to say in his defense.

"I apologize, I was out of line," Noval said. "I'm just upset cause this is not what I was charged with yesterday. I was charged with battery."

The judge said, "I accept your apology and will sentence you to 60 days in the Broward County Jail. Thank you."

But Noval was not happy with the judge's decision.

"Can I take the [expletive] back?" he said.

And the scene repeated.

"All right, sir, come on back," Hurley said. "I'm inclined to hold you in contempt of court again."

Hurley went on, "I'm gonna sentence you to another 60 days to run consecutive to the prior 60 days. So now you're up to 120 days in the Broward County Jail. Do you have anything else you'd like to say? Thank you very much. You're done."

Noval looked stunned and mumbled, "I didn't know he could do that," before heading off to jail.