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Hillsborough Judge: In Court, No Ifs, Ands Or - Baggy Pants

Tribune photo by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

Judge Daniel Perry conducts a violation of probation hearing today in Hillsborough County Circuit Court.

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 12, 2008

TAMPA - Judge Daniel Perry has seen enough underwear in his courtroom, thank you very much.

The Hillsborough County Circuit Court judge became upset Tuesday when inmates were brought into his courtroom with ill-fitting, jail-issued pants that drooped, showing too much of what was underneath. The inmates were there for hearings over whether they had violated probation.

Seeing the underpants display as an affront to courtroom dignity, the judge ordered sheriff's deputies to take inmates back to jail to get better-fitting pants.

"Turn around," he told an inmate, according to a transcript. "No, I'll tell you what. We're done for today. Send them all back. Set them all off for tomorrow. ... I'm going to call the sheriff's office today. I do not want to see these people in here again with their rear ends hanging out of their pants. We're done."

When the same thing happened Wednesday and again Thursday, Perry again postponed the beginning of court to give deputies time to dress the inmates more appropriately.

On the door of Perry's courtroom was a handwritten sign saying, "Court delayed until 9:30 a.m."

Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said there are a few causes for the problem.

The pants have elastic in the waists and it could be stretched out; inmates give deputies their size, but the sizes are not precise, just like sizing for clothes bought in stores.

Some inmates might give large sizes because they prefer wearing larger sizes. "It's personal preference, but when they go to court, they need to be dressed more appropriately," she said.

The sheriff's office issued a statement:

"The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is well aware of the recent situation regarding inmates and ill-fitting jail uniforms being worn in court. Judges require and deserve courtroom decorum both in demeanor and appearance, and that also applies to inmates appearing before them. Sheriff David Gee has ordered the situation with jail uniforms to be rectified today, and all inmates will be issued the proper-sized clothing to wear in court settings."

Carter would not give specifics on how the department will fix the problem. But she said it doesn't need to buy new pants.

"We have sufficient pants," she said.

Reporter Thomas W. Krause contributed to this report. Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837 or esilvestrini@tampatrib.com.

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