As Punishment, Judge Orders Men to Hold Signs Naming Crime Committed

GUILFORD COUNTY -- A district judge is enforcing a new type of probation action that has people stopping to stare.

The disciplinary action requires defendants to hold poster board that reads the crime they're found guilty for.

According to Judge Cummings, two men, Joshua Hill and Melvin Southerland, were given the option to either serve jail time or stand in a courtyard with a sign board. He says he hopes this action will shine light on the serious domestic violence issue in Guilford County.

"Domestic violence has to be taken seriously, it has to be dealt with in a serious way. If these individuals standing out here will prevent another individual from committing the crime, then I think we have been well-served," said District Court Judge Mark Cummings.

Joshua Hill started his sentence outside Guilford County Courthouse on Monday. His sentence is for seven days from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Both men say the punishment is humiliating.

"This is not community service, and it don't make a lot of sense to me," said Hill. "Standing out in front of a courthouse holding a sign is humiliation."

"I'll be glad when this embarrassment is over with," said Southerland.

Judge Cummings says he's also offered other people convicted of crimes the opportunity to work with him in court instead of serving time in prison.