Commonwealth v. Epps

OPINION BY Justice DONALD W. LEMONS.

In this appeal, we consider whether a judge is a "victim" of contempt of court as contemplated by Code § 19.2-271.

I. Facts and Proceedings Below

This controversy arises over security at the Circuit Court for the City of Petersburg (the "courthouse"). Judge Pamela S. Baskervill and Judge James F. D'Alton, Jr. met with the Sheriff of the City of Petersburg, George M. Epps ("Sheriff Epps"), to discuss certain concerns regarding, among other things, court security. Thereafter, the court entered an order detailing the steps Sheriff Epps had agreed to take to…