In re the Forfeiture of 1973 Ford Truck

Appellant, as counsel for the petitioner, appeals from an order of the trial court finding him in contempt of court and assessing a fine of $50.

On May 2, 1986, appellant, as attorney for the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Department, requested and received a trial date for this forfeiture action the following week. Appellant appeared at the appointed time and advised the court that he could not proceed because the petitioner’s key witness was unavailable. Appellant had tried to subpoena the witness but was unable to locate him due to the witness’s change of address. Appellant thereupon moved for…