Man in legal trouble for belch in court

Joseph P. Smith | The Daily Journal

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MILLVILLE - A local man appearing in Municipal Court on Monday for a traffic case ended up taking on more legal trouble over a belch, according to a police report.

The report states that Judge Lauren Van Embden ordered 22-year-old Nyshawn B. Mutcherson to apologize to the courtroom, but that he refused to do so.

The judge then held the East Oak Street resident in contempt. He was issued a summons and released pending a hearing, the police report states.

Court Administrator Kimberly Hamlyn on Thursday stated that Mutcherson was not represented by an attorney. No other details were available immediately.

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A judge’s authority to find someone in contempt and to punish them is intended to help maintain decorum in court and to enforce orders. The power is based on common law, statutes, court decisions, and court operating rules.

Joseph P. Smith; (856) 563-5252; jsmith@gannettnj.com