Only in America, part 94

Repeat drug offender Albert Brown was surprised at a recent sentencing when Judge James Warren left the courtroom and returned with a spare judicial robe, which he ordered Brown to don.

'This is your life, and you are your own judge,' the judge said.

'Sentence yourself.' According to the American Bar Association Journal, Brown resisted the temptation to discharge himself, and gave himself six months (which, the judge said, was the sentence he had in mind anyway).

Narcotics police were apparently less than impressed, but Judge Warren insisted that Brown 'was very good at lecturing himself'.

In case he forgets the stern talking-to he gave himself, Brown has been given a transcript.