Fifty-eight-year-old Pembroke resident Junius Caines caused a major disruption in Magistrates’ Court today after appearing before Magistrate Maria Sofianos for mention on multiple charges, including three counts of burglary and one count of prowling.
During the proceedings, Caines told the court that he did not want legal representation from Nicole Smith of the Legal Aid system and instead demanded a private attorney. Magistrate Sofianos questioned whether Caines could afford private counsel, prompting further exchanges in court by Caines.
Caines then stated that he wanted his matter to be heard in the Supreme Court. Moments later, tensions escalated as he launched into a verbal outburst directed at the magistrate, using profanity and abusive language in open court.
As a result of his behavior, Magistrate Sofianos charged Caines with contempt of court, fined him $2,000, and ordered that he be remanded into custody. He was sentenced to serve 14 days imprisonment for the contempt charge.
The courtroom disturbance intensified further when Caines allegedly punched a prison officer in the face after the corrections officer ordered and pushed Caines to his seat. Court officers, police officers, and prison personnel quickly intervened and subdued him. To make matters worse there should have been two corrections officers in the court that would have immediately subdued Caines and bought order to the Magistrate court.
Junius Cains is scheduled to reappear in Magistrates’ Court No. 1 on June 17, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
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