By the time sentencing comes around, the case (guilty or not guilty)
has been decided and if the judge wants to make a comment on the
defendant's conduct, that's the appropriate time to do it. If the
defendant decides to show contempt at any time in the courtroom, the
judge has the prerogative to issue sanctions against such conduct. The
thing that irks me about the courtroom shows on TV (especially Judge
Judy) is the way she appears to have made up her mind before all the
testimony has been given. The judge should remain impartial and avoid
emotional outbursts until the final verdict and then the judge can slam
the guilty party to his/her heart's content. Saying someone is stupid
for stealing an aircraft, drinking, endangering others, etc. seems like
a pretty accurate summation of the case. I'd say the guy shows a lack
of remorse and should be given the opportunity to reflect on his
conduct while picking up trash along the highway for as long as the law
allows.