DETROIT – A federal lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by a 15-year-old girl and her mother against 36th District Judge Kenneth King following an incident wherein the judge ordered the teenager to be detained for falling asleep during a court field trip. The lawsuit accuses Judge King of violating the civil rights of the teenager, Eva Goodman, by acting beyond his judicial authority during the incident.
The controversy began when Goodman, who is currently without a permanent home, attended a court session organized as a field trip. According to the lawsuit, Goodman was reprimanded by King for her drowsiness, which was a result of her reliving a traumatic experience while observing earlier court proceedings. The teenager was ordered to change into a jail uniform and was placed in handcuffs, actions that her mother, Latoreya Till, and their attorneys argue were excessive and unlawful.
The legal team representing Goodman and Till, from Fieger Law, argue that the punitive measures taken by Judge King were not only unwarranted but also humiliating for Goodman. They claim these actions led to significant emotional distress for both Goodman and her mother, leading to the teenager’s fear of leaving her home following the ordeal.
During the incident, which was partially captured on video, Judge King is seen admonishing Goodman for falling asleep a second time after initially being woken up. The judge then ordered her removal from the courtroom, a decision that was followed by her being isolated in a cell before later being brought back into the courtroom where King continued to chastise her.
The incident led to Judge King being temporarily removed from the bench by Chief Judge William McConico, who stated that King would undergo necessary training before he could return to his duties. Despite his removal, King will continue to receive his annual salary of nearly $170,000, as per Michigan’s legislative standards.
Additionally, King’s role as an educator came under scrutiny, leading to his removal from teaching positions at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he was scheduled to teach two classes in the fall semester.
The lawsuit lists multiple alleged constitutional violations, including unreasonable search and seizure and detention without due process, and seeks over $75,000 for each claim. It also challenges the judge’s assertion that courtroom protocol was being followed, arguing there was no active legal proceeding when Goodman was disciplined and that her rights were subsequently disregarded.
This legal challenge has stirred discussions about judicial authority and the application of courtroom procedures, as well as broader implications for the treatment of individuals—particularly minors—in similar environments.
The case has not only brought attention to the specific actions of one judge but also highlighted broader concerns about judicial practices and the psychological effects on those who find themselves unexpectedly involved in the judicial system. As the lawsuit progresses, it may set precedents regarding the boundaries of judicial conduct and the protection of civil rights within the courtroom setting.