When a teenager fell asleep during a field trip to a Michigan courtroom earlier this month, the judge responded by ordering her to be placed in a jumpsuit, handcuffed, and held in a cell for hours—livestreaming what he later called “my own version of Scared Straight” to social media followers.
The teen’s mother has now filed a lawsuit, arguing that the judge, Kenneth King, violated her daughter’s constitutional rights.
According to the suit, the 15-year-old, identified as ELG, was participating in a vocational program set up by a local nonprofit. As part of the program, ELG was attending a field trip to King’s courtroom, aimed at teaching students about possible careers in law. Once the group arrived and were seated in the courtroom, the teenagers watched a homicide proceeding, followed by a lecture from King, which was livestreamed online.
During this lecture, ELG nodded off. The lawsuit claims that this was, in part,…
