California Retrospective: In 1938, L.A. woman went to jail for wearing
slacks in courtroom
Kindergarten teacher Helen Hulick made Los Angeles court history --
and struck a blow for women's fashion -- in 1938.
Hulick arrived in downtown L.A. court to testify against two burglary
suspects. But the courtroom drama immediately shifted to the slacks
she was wearing. Judge Arthur S. Guerin rescheduled her testimony and
ordered her to wear a dress next time.
Hulick was quoted in the Nov. 10, 1938, Los Angeles Times saying, "You
tell the judge I will stand on my rights. If he orders me to change
into a dress I won't do it. I like slacks. They're comfortable."
She returned to court five days later -- in slacks -- infuriating the
judge. The Times reported:
=====
In a scathing denunciation of slacks -- which he prosaically termed
pants -- as courtroom attire for women, Guerin yesterday again forbade
Helen Hulick, 28, kindergarten teacher, to testify as a witness while
dressed in a green and orange leisure attire.
"The last time you were in this court dressed as you are now and
reclining on your neck on the back of your chair, you drew more
attention from spectators, prisoners and court attaches than the legal
business at hand. You were requested to return in garb acceptable to
courtroom procedure.
"Today you come back dressed in pants and openly defying the court and
its duties to conduct judicial proceedings in an orderly manner. It's
time a decision was reached on this matter and on the power the court
has to maintain what it considers orderly conduct.
"The court hereby orders and directs you to return tomorrow in
accepted dress. If you insist on wearing slacks again you will be
prevented from testifying because that would hinder the administration
of justice. But be prepared to be punished according to law for
contempt of court."
Slack-shrouded Miss Hulick was accompanied by Attorney William Katz,
who carried four heavy volumes of citations relative to his client's
right to appear in court in whatever dress she chose.
"Listen," said the young woman, "I've worn slacks since I was 15. I
don't own a dress except a formal. If he wants me to appear in a
formal gown that's okay with me.
"I'll come back in slacks and if he puts me in jail I hope it will
help to free women forever of anti-slackism."
=====
The next day, Hulick showed up in slacks. Judge Guerin held her in
contempt. She was given a five-day sentence and sent to jail.
"After being divested of her favorite garment by a jail matron and
attired in a prison denim dress, Miss Hulick was released on her own recognizance after her attorney ... obtained a writ of habeas corpus
and declared he would carry the matter to the Appellate Court," The
Times reported.
Hundreds sent letters of protest to the courthouse. Guerin's contempt
citation was overturned by the Appellate Division during a habeas
corpus hearing. Hulick was free to wear slacks to court.
A couple of months later, Hulick came back to court. Her point made,
this time she wore a dress.
https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-california-retrospective-20141023-story.html
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