A lawsuit has been filed against Detroit 36th District Court Judge Kenneth King after he allegedly ordered a 15-year-old girl on a field trip to be handcuffed and made to wear a jail uniform.
The lawsuit, filed by Fieger Law, alleges unlawful arrest, infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, invasion of privacy, among other charges. A court security guard and officer have also been named in the suit.
The incident occurred during a visit organized by The Greening of Detroit, a nonprofit focused on youth education and community engagement. The students were visiting the court to learn about the legal system.
Latoreya Till, the mother of the 15-year-old, stated that they do not have a permanent residence and that her daughter does not always have a bed to sleep in. Latoreya emphasized that her daughter has never had issues in school, has been a star student, and has no interest in pursuing a career in law, questioning the purpose of the field trip.
Judge King allegedly ordered the teen to be handcuffed and dressed in a jail uniform because he disapproved of her attitude. A defense attorney, who was present in the courtroom for another case, represented the teen.
“You fall asleep in my courtroom one more time, I’m gonna put you in back, understood?” Judge King reportedly told the teenager before letting her peers decide whether she should be sent to a juvenile detention center.
Judge Kenneth King has been temporarily removed from his docket and is undergoing additional training, according to court officials.
