Scalia: “When the policeman sees him, he’s dressed in baggy jeans, you know, down around his thighs, and when the judge sees him he’s wearing a Buster Brown jumper suit.”

March 23rd, 2011

Justice Scalia opined on juvenile attire in J.D.B. v.  North Carolina.

MS. BLACKMAN: A judge should be able to consider that, and under the clear circumstances of this case, it is unlikely that a –

JUSTICESCALIA: When the policeman sees him, he’s dressed in baggy jeans, you know, down around his thighs, and when the judge sees him he’s wearing a Buster Brown jumper suit. You don’t really think that it’s going to be equivalent?

MS. BLACKMAN: I’m not sure I understood the question.

(Laughter.)