Judge Joe Brown Arrested In Memphis For Contempt Of Court

Former TV court judge Joe Brown was arrested on Monday, March 24, after he allegedly became verbally abusive while representing a client in a child support case in Memphis, Tenn., reports TMZ.

Brown was appearing before Juvenile Court Magistrate Harold Horne, who warned the 66-year-old to calm down. When he did not, he was given two days in jail for contempt of court, before it was increased to three days in jail when Brown started yelling as he was removed from the courtroom, reports CBS News affiliate WREG Memphis.

Brown is best known for his TV series "Judge Joe Brown," which was canceled in 2013 after 15 seasons, and is currently running for Shelby County District Attorney.

Judge Joe Brown just got a taste of his own medicine -- the former TV judge was arrested after allegedly blowing a gasket at a Memphis juvenile court ... TMZ has confirmed.

Brown showed up to court Monday to represent someone in a child support case -- but was turned away by court staff, who informed Brown they had no record of the case in question.

Brown reportedly lost it ... becoming verbally abusive and was warned several times to quiet down.

We're told Brown -- who is running for D.A. of Shelby County -- was "playing to the peanut gallery" and "incited a near riot."

Brown reportedly ignored the judge and was subsequently arrested for contempt of court.

Brown was cited for contempt 5 times and ultimately ordered to spend 5 days in jail. He left under his own power and was screaming the entire time. Check out the audio from court ... it's wild.