Miss Simon that is a French name is it not

In my case it is Swiss although I live in France

You have been brought in front of this court

As you were found sunbathing topless on Stevenson Beach

How do you plead

Why should I plead as I did nothing wrong

Mr Adams would you explain to your client how the system works

My client pleads guilty but would like to explain why this incident took place

Miss Simon

Thank you

As you are aware that I live in France near the town of Saint Maxime

I often use the beaches in the area and topless sunbathing is considered normal

You as may have noticed you are in Florida

I know

Topless sunbathing is not allowed on many beaches in the state

I was actually on my front when the official came up to me

He asked my to put my top on and I refused

Why

Because out of all the people on the beach that day he picked on me

Although I cannot prove it I felt that he was getting a kick out of the situation

Mr Garcia said that you used foul language

Did you swear at Mr Garcia

I just told him to get a life

In English or French

English

It snowballed soon after and the cops were called

Did you say and I quote from the officers notes

Quite why are you hassling me when there are muggers and dealers running riot in the town

Yes

That was not the point Miss Simon

You were asked to act modestly and you refused

I had no wish to be offensive

Others might have thought you were being offensive

Your Honour

Mr Adams

May I present a short clip of film from my clients cell phone

Is it relevant

I believe so yes

What am I about to see

It is a short movie made in the mid thirties

Really

What bearing does this have Mr Adams

It is the opening of the swimming pool of the industrialist Pierre Simon

Who I suppose is related to your client

He was her great grandfather

What do you notice

What am I expected to notice

That all the female sunbathers are topless

I do hope you have a serious point Mr Adams

Although this was filmed many years ago it shows the way many people sunbathed during the interwar years

Maybe in France but not in the United States

Miss Simon shares this blood as it is considered normal in France and many other European countries

But not so in the USA

That is all very nice Mr Adams but your client was rude to the beach official

My second point your honour and this is very relevant

I am all ears

It has come to my attention that Mr Garcia was charged with voyeurism in 2022

Was he convicted

Yes although it was seen as a first time offence and was treated as such

He was warned as to his future conduct

I see that Mr Garcia kept his job

That is correct

This all seems a little ridiculous as Mr Garcia would have been be in contact with dozens of women in their swimwear

Miss Simon you noted that you felt that Mr Garcia had chosen to speak to you alone

Yes

Were there other topless women on the beach that day

Not that I noticed

You said that you felt uncomfortable

Yes

Why

Because he was staring at my nipples even though they were more or less hidden

Mr Adams I am going to dismiss the case as I have travelled in circles for nearly half an hour

It has been a complete waste of the courts time

Miss Simon

Your honour

Whether you go topless or not is of no importance to me

But I am disturbed that a public servant who holds a public facing position was allowed to continue his duties after his conviction for voyeurism 

Mr Adams would you visit me later as I would like to discuss your sources regarding Mr Garcia.

Before you go Miss Simon and with reference to your home movie

Yes

Are you related to the Simon company in Zurich

Yes my great great grandfather founded the company in the nineteenth century

You might be pleased to know that I went to college with your father Guy please remember me when you next see him

Josephine Wilson Smith (2025)