Honeycutt told Redmond that he may find the bailiff in contempt of court when they return to sessions next week.
LEXINGTON, N.C. -- A district court judge exceeded his authority by ordering that religious references be stricken from oaths and announcements in his courtrooms, according to a complaint prepared by county officials.
The officials say Judge James M. Honeycutt took it upon himself to change procedures that are mandated by state law. They planned to file a complaint Thursday with the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission.
Honeycutt rewrote the oath traditionally sworn in court, removing the phrase "so help you God," and no longer asks people to swear on a bible. He also ordered bailiffs to drop the phrase "God save the state and this honorable court" when opening a session.
The complaint says Honeycutt has threatened to hold Iredell County bailiffs in contempt of court when they have continued to use the phrase.
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