Rice v. State

OPINION

KIRSCH, Judge.

Phillip C. Rice appeals the trial court’s finding of contempt against him. He raises two issues:

I. Whether the trial court erred in holding Rice in contempt for failure to appear for a scheduled sentencing hearing.

II. Whether Rice was denied the right to counsel at the contempt proceeding. We reverse.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Rice was charged under three different cause numbers with two counts of maintaining a common nuisance, two counts of possession of marijuana, one count of robbery, and one count of battery. Pursuant to a written plea agreement, on June 6, 2006, he…