City of Wichita v. Hill

I concur in parts I through III and V of Justice Abbott’s well-considered decision. As to the appeal involving William W. Russ, Jr., however, I would find, as did the trial judge and the Commissioner appointed by this court, that Russ could not properly be held on the municipal court’s contempt finding and pay-before-release jail order. Accordingly, I would affirm Judge Buchanan’s order that Russ be released from confinement under the contempt finding.

I

William Russ was fined a total of $199 in the Wichita Municipal Court for four separate traffic infractions and one other ordinance violation:…