Former Judge Joe Brown turns himself in

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - Celebrity TV Judge Joe Brown turned himself in to 201 Poplar on Thursday to face a five-day sentence on a contempt of court charge.

WMC Action News 5 was the only TV crew at the fugitive's office as he arrived at 12:30 p.m.

Amid a failed attempt to become the Shelby County district attorney last March, Brown had a heated exchange with a Juvenile Court magistrate during a child custody hearing.

Brown fought to appeal his sentence, but since Tennessee Supreme Court won't hear his appeal, he is expected to start serving time.

"You are used to judging. How does it feel for you to be judged? You might have asked Mandela, Martin Luther King, Reverend Lowery, Stokely Carmichael," Brown said. "You might ask people that just got arrested in Ferguson what it's all about. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do and stand up for justice."

Brown is a colorful character in Memphis history.

He presided over hearings about the rifle used to assassinate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He hosted the Emmy-winning TV show "Judge Joe Brown," and he is a former Shelby County prosecutor and Criminal Court judge.

Brown maintains his innocence.

When WMC Action News 5's Kontji Anthony asked Brown what the last word he would like to say to Memphis before he serves his sentence, he responded, "Black lives matter."

Joe Brown also issued the following statement:

"I will not apologize for vigorously defending my client and demanding that the court follow the law. What I saw was a miscarriage of justice and I did what needed to be done.

I will serve the time and I will continue stand up and speak out for justice as I have done throughout my 40-year legal career.

When our courts don't follow the rule of law, justice is in jeopardy for everyone. Thank you to all of my supporters. Your prayers and well wishes are appreciated."

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