A Detroit judge has come under fire for his actions towards a 16-year-old girl who fell asleep in his courtroom during a field trip. Judge Kenneth King, presiding over the 36th District Court, threatened the teenager with jail time for contempt of court, despite her sleeping between hearings. The incident was captured on video, which has since been removed from the court's YouTube channel.

The girl, who was part of a group from The Greening of Detroit, was subjected to King's unconventional methods of discipline, which included being forced to wear a jail uniform and handcuffs. The judge repeatedly suggested that she might need to spend some time behind bars, even describing graphic scenes of violence that could occur in juvenile detention.

Despite King's threats, the girl was ultimately allowed to go home, but not before he asked her peers to decide whether she should be jailed. This action has left the girl feeling traumatized, according to Marissa Ebersole Wood, chairperson of The Greening of Detroit. Wood criticized King's conduct, stating that the group should have been simply asked to leave if they were being disruptive.

King defended his actions, stating that he was trying to instill respect for the court system. He claimed he did not intend to order the girl to jail but wanted to serve as a deterrent. The judge also mentioned that he has reached out to the girl's family with an offer to mentor her, but has not yet received a response.

Melanie Barbaza, assistant to 36th District Chief Judge William C. McConico, declined to comment on behalf of McConico, referring the matter to King's office. Justin Simard, assistant professor of law at Michigan State University, questioned whether King's actions met the standards outlined in Michigan's Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires judges to avoid impropriety and even the appearance of impropriety in their actions.

The incident has sparked controversy, with many expressing concern over King's methods and questioning whether they were appropriate for a juvenile court setting. The video, which captured King's interactions with the girl, has reportedly been removed from the court's YouTube channel, adding fuel to the debate surrounding the incident.