A Texas defendant received a stern lecture from a Jefferson County judge after showing up to his felony court hearing wearing a novelty t-shirt with questionable messaging. The incident has highlighted courtroom decorum expectations in the Lone Star State.

According to Breitbart, defendant Sammy Morris appeared before Judge Raquel West last week wearing a shirt reading "World's Best Farter" with "farter" crossed out and "I mean father" written underneath. The judge was visibly unimpressed with his choice of attire.

West confronted Morris directly about his inappropriate clothing selection for such a serious legal proceeding. When Morris claimed it was the only shirt available to him, the judge expressed skepticism and reminded him of proper courtroom expectations.

Courtroom Dress Code Violations Draw Judicial Rebuke

"What made you think that was a good shirt to wear to court this morning?" Judge West asked the defendant in a video posted to the 252nd district court's YouTube page. Her question highlighted the disconnect between Morris's casual approach and the formal environment of felony court.

Morris attempted to defend his choice by claiming limited options in his wardrobe. When pressed further by Judge West about whether this was truly his only available shirt, Morris tried shifting attention to the "father" portion of the message rather than the crossed-out "farter" element.

The judge quickly rejected this explanation, stating plainly: "No, it says... I can read it. I see what it says at the bottom." She then reminded Morris about proper courtroom attire expectations, noting that in Texas, participants are expected to wear "appropriate business attire" and exercise common sense when appearing before the court.

Legal Representation Issues Compound Defendant's Problems

Judge West's concerns extended beyond Morris's inappropriate clothing choices. She also reprimanded the defendant for failing to secure legal representation prior to his court appearance, despite having had ample time to do so.

Morris claimed he had attempted to contact three different attorneys but received no responses. This explanation failed to satisfy Judge West, who countered that proper effort was required when seeking legal counsel for a felony case.

"You need to get someone hired, or you need to actually talk to three lawyers," the judge told him firmly. "You can't actually hire someone unless you really try." Her comments underscored the seriousness of the situation and Morris's apparent lack of adequate preparation.

Judge Issues Final Warning With Clear Consequences

Following the dual reprimands about his attire and lack of legal representation, Judge West reset Morris's case for 30 days. She made it clear that expectations would be significantly higher for his next appearance.

The judge provided explicit instructions regarding securing an attorney, emphasizing the importance of persistence. "If you have to call 20 [lawyers] to get that done, then call 20," she advised Morris, leaving no room for excuses at his next hearing.

West concluded with a stern warning about the consequences of continued non-compliance. She informed Morris that if he appeared again without legal representation, his bond would be revoked and he would be returned to jail—a serious escalation that would dramatically impact his freedom during the legal proceedings.

Why This Story Matters

This story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of respecting the judicial system and approaching legal matters with maturity. A lighthearted shirt may seem minor, but in the setting of a felony court, it sends the wrong message. The community benefits when individuals understand the weight of legal proceedings and take appropriate steps to represent themselves responsibly.

Conclusion

A Texas man named Sammy Morris appeared in Jefferson County felony court last week wearing a T-shirt that read “World’s Best Farter,” with the word “farter” crossed out and replaced with “I mean father.” The attire caught the attention of Judge Raquel West, who reminded Morris that his outfit was inappropriate for a courtroom setting, especially in a felony case.

She also criticized him for failing to hire a lawyer, despite his claims of having contacted three attorneys. The judge gave him 30 more days to retain legal counsel and warned that failure to do so would lead to bond revocation and jail time. The hearing, available on the court’s YouTube page, highlights the need for professionalism and accountability in legal matters.