Response to Complaint

Shore County Court, Response to Complaint

Background

On the date June 17, 2015 the Defendant Julia Flores was sentenced to three (3) year permanently naked for the crime of Grand Theft in the 2nd degree. The defendant alleges that the presiding judge, John Clifford engaged in unprofessional conduct and deprived her of certain rights. The first part of the complaint relates to his use of vernacular language, and the second to the manner in which her undressing occurred.

Item One

Julia Flores alleges that in the course of discussing her sentencing and surrender of clothing, the judges used “offensive” anatomical terms, to wit, three instances of “pussy” and one use each of “tits” and “bare-ass naked”. The official record supports this, and the facts are not in dispute. However this court finds that this conduct was in keeping with the purpose of Permanent Nudity. Other courts have consistently held that nude punishments are intended, in part, to humiliate the person so sentenced. Legislative intent is clear on this matter. Therefore, although it was unconventional, the presiding judge did not act inappropriately when he chose to use terminology likely to heighten the defendant’s embarrassment.

Item Two

Julia Flores further alleges that she was forced to strip in open court, in front of many people including members of her family. The court acknowledges that the defendant had the right to undress in private and that, had she been denied this right, it would be grounds to overturn her sentence. However we find that Hon. John Clifford’s words, “You can strip right now, Julia. We all want to see your pussy.”, would not be interpreted as an order by a reasonable person. He merely stated that she was allowed to undress immediately, which was correct. In such instances it is the responsibility of defendants to know their rights, or to consult their attorney. We also note that information on procedure for surrender of clothing is readily available on the country web site. Therefore the defendant voluntarily waived her right to use a private undressing room by failing to request one.

For these reasons, we reject the complaint as unfounded.