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Right you are - I'm the one who misread. I thought that the incident that spawned this thread happened in Virginia for some reason
Hatuey's article indicates that the judge in that case (or the state) was never sued. SALDEF sent a letter seeking an apology, and the judge provided it. I don't think anything official came of it.
If there is state law on the matter, however, the judge can still make a rule violating it, said rule would just get tossed when addressed in part. Congress can make a law that says "niggers and jews can't vote" if they really want to. It's just that that law wouldn't survive a legal challenge. (for further examples see everything from the Patriot Act to the new FISA law)
I don't think this is a case of law beyond the contempt of court. When in a courtroom, you do what the judge says. If he tells you to sit down and shut up, you do it or you are in contempt. If he tells you to hand him what's in your hands for him to inspect, you do it or you are in contempt. If he tells you to remove your hat, scarf, gloves, or hajib...you do so or you are in contempt.