Attorney gets six months prison for using F-word in court

An Ohio judge sent an attorney to jail for six months for swearing in the court room. The same judge sent another man to prison for the same reason the previous day.

Michael Brautigam, an attorney, represented himself in the civil suit against his North Avondale condo association and other condo owners in the building, represented by Cincinnati attorney Peter Koenig. Brautigam is a licensed attorney but in Ohio is yet to receive a license, but still filed the lawsuit. Brautigam wanted more time to prepare his case, so he asked Judge Ruehlman for additional time. Ruehlman gave him permission. Koenig was trying to walk away from the proceedings, when Brautigam called him a “f#%king liar." Ruehlman overheard it but wanted to make sure whether Brautigam said the F-word. Brautigam didn’t lie and admitted saying that word. Ruehlman immediately cited him for contempt and sent him to jail for six months. Ruehlman told the court:

"I had to give him six months because I gave the other guy (a gang member on Wednesday) six months."

Jamel Sechrest, the accused gang member was frustrated with the court delays, so he cursed in front of the judge, "That's (bleeping) bull (bleep)."

Ruehlman replied that no one uses the bull-(bleep) word in the court room and sentenced him to six months in jail.

Koenig said that Ruehlman gave the right punishment to Brautigam, who he claims disrespected judges, lawyers and litigants on several occasions in the past.

Does the punishment seem excessive for just one swear word?