Ex parte Burton

This is an original petition filed by Marion Burton, a practicing attorney, for a writ of certiorari to quash two orders entered by the Honorable Wiley W. Bean. The first order committed Burton to jail for an asserted contempt of court. The second order suspended Burton’s license to practice law in the Fifth Judicial District until he should exculpate himself from certain supposed wrongdoing.

Although this proceeding is in form ex parte, a copy of Burton’s petition was served upon Judge Bean, who has filed a response defending the validity of his orders. Thus the proceeding is not uncontested.…