A lawsuit filed in Chancery Court accuses Carter County Sessions Court Judge John Walton of using a procedure that is unconstitutional and prevents judicial review. The lawsuit was filed by a defendant in Walton’s court who was jailed on a contempt charge. Acie Lee Justus alleges that he is one of about 50 defendants who have been treated by the court in this way. Some say, the Judge, jails targeted defendants for several days without a hearing. Then, they are brought back to court after they have waived their rights to counsel. Attorney Donald Spurrell says that is partly true. The lawsuit seeks no monetary award from Walton other than court costs and attorney’s fees. It appears that proper procedure has not been followed in Walton's Court room. Spurrell explained that around July of 2007, Walton began to implement a system that evolved into a procedure that was meant to impose fear and intimidation. (bg)