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Chicago attorney is forced to apologize, saying she is “shocked and humiliated” after calling sheriff’s deputies “those sons of bitches” and using racial slurs to describe them while unmuted on a live stream
- Donna Makowski dragged herself before a judge in a contempt of court hearing on Friday
- She had said in an unmute conversation before a livestreamed court hearing “Those sons of bitches at the sheriff’s office” and “N****** they do it all the time.”
- Makowski said the comments were not directed at the black judge.
- Judge Dominique Ross decided not to hold her for contempt of court
- She faces disciplinary action from the state Bar Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
A Chicago lawyer has been forced to apologize after calling sheriff’s deputies ‘those sons of bitches’ and using a racial slur in a livestreamed court hearing.
Donna Makowski dragged herself before Judge Dominique Ross, who is black, in a contempt of court hearing Friday over her comments the day before in which she told him: “I’m shocked and humiliated.”
Makowski was not sentenced for contempt of court, as Ross argued that her public humiliation was punishment enough, the Chicago Sun Times reports.
But now he could face disciplinary action from the Illinois Bar Registration and Disciplinary Commission, which last year reassigned a judge and ordered him to undergo sensitivity training after he was caught with a live microphone making comments. sexists in another court hearing broadcast live.
Chicago attorney Donna Makowski (pictured) was forced to apologize after she was recorded calling sheriff’s deputies ‘those sons of bitches’ and saying ‘N****** they do it all the time’
Judge Dominique Ross decided not to hold Makowski in contempt of court, saying his humiliation was punishment enough.
According to court documents obtained by CBS NewsMakowski could be heard in unmute conversation as he waited for his client to register at a livestreamed court hearing Thursday saying “Those sons of bitches at the sheriff’s office” and “N****** do it.” all time.’
Ross called the comments “unprofessional, disrespectful and dismissive” and scheduled a contempt of court hearing for the next day.
As that hearing began, the Sun-Times reports that Makowski issued his humiliating apology, saying: ‘Your Honor, I apologize. I have no words for yesterday’s unforgivable episode.’
Makowski later insisted that the language was not directed at the black judge.
“It was outrageous whether you were addressing it to court or not,” Ross responded. ‘I’m sure you have clients who are people of color.’
At the time, Makowski revealed that her late husband was black, prompting Ross to tell her, “That doesn’t give anybody a pass to make those kinds of statements.” They are just not appropriate.
But in the end, Ross decided not to hold Makowski in contempt of court because “the court can’t teach adults not to make ignorant statements, racial slurs, whether they’re directed at the court or not.”
“There is no punishment that this court can impose on you that will exceed the shame, the humiliation that your colleagues and other judges have heard you do.”
Still, she said, ‘Your apology is accepted.’
Makowski has been licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois since 1984
Since making the comments, Makowski’s law office’s Facebook page has been inundated with comments calling her racist.
One man wrote: ‘The next time you [think] long and hard before opening his [mouth]’, while one woman commented: ‘Well, there goes your career on fire. The truth always comes to light! I wish this had been exposed sooner.
Makowski has been licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois since 1984. He had never before faced disciplinary action from the state’s regulatory board, according to CBS News.