United States v. Craig Koblitz and Robert Scott Donley, and Marcelino J. Huerta, III and Anthony F. Gonzalez, Contemnors-Appellants

TJOFLAT, Circuit Judge:

Appellants are two trial lawyers. The district court held them in civil contempt and fined them $2,500 because they violated an order directing them either to appear for the trial of their clients’ criminal case or, in the event of appellants’ unavailability, to obtain substitute counsel who would appear, prepared and ready for trial. Appellants challenge the validity of that order and ask us to set aside their contempt adjudications. We find the order invalid and reverse.

I

On April 24, 1985, appellant Anthony F. Gonzalez filed a notice of appearance as defense counsel…