Photo: Monika Skolimowska/dpa (Photo by Monika Skolimowska/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Judge Kenneth King is returning to the bench after a temporary suspension. However, upon his return, the Detroit judge will handle traffic citations and cases. The update comes after his suspension last month for putting a teen girl in handcuffs and a jail uniform during her field trip.
King later defended his actions in the scenario, which involved the girl dozing off more than once in his courtroom. After he warned the teen about her sleepiness, King claims she reacted with an “attitude.” So, he called for her to be handled like an accused criminal. First, he removed her from the room. Then he ordered the handcuffs and uniform. Additionally, he had the other students on the field vote as to whether he should temporarily jail the teen in a juvenile facility.
Judge King told the local press he was most bothered by her response to his warning. He further stated that his intent was to show the teen how to “conduct yourself inside of a courtroom.” In his words, he hadn’t felt “disrespected like that in a very long time.”
“…Because I’ll do whatever needs to be done to reach these kids and make sure that they don’t end up in front of me,” the Detroit judge added.
Not long after doubling down on his actions, he was temporarily suspended from handling cases. Chief Judge William McConico also revealed that King was under investigation and required to take training before returning to the bench. At the time, a statement from McConico said King’s actions did not represent the court’s commitment to an “environment free from intimidation or disrespect.” He was off the bench for about six weeks but got paid for his training.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Judge King is headed back to court next week. Rather than handle big-ticket cases like murder and domestic violence, he will be in traffic court. A letter from Chief Judge McConico stated:
“Judge King has successfully completed his training and began hearing cases on the traffic docket, filling in for another judge who is on vacation. On Monday, September 30th, he will assume his own docket in the traffic division. We appreciate his efforts in preparing for this role, and wish him success as he transitions into this new responsibility.”
King has not publicly responded to his demotion. A Chicago-based consultant provided his reinstatement training, which explored the “Conscious Discipline” concept.
