Legal Opinion
In Re James
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Decided December 17, 1982No. 1410PublishedCited by 9 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
WIEAND, Judge:
Arthur Henry James, an attorney, overslept and arrived late on the seventh day of a criminal trial, causing delivery of the court’s jury instructions to be delayed for almost an hour. Counsel was summarily held in contempt and fined $200. On appeal, he contends that the “wrongful intent” essential to a finding of contempt was absent. We agree and reverse.
“Courts unquestionably have inherent power to punish willful misconduct which obstructs a fair and orderly trial. [Citations omitted] This includes the authority to impose summary criminal contempt.” Commonwealth v. Garrison,…
2Cases cited10 opinions
- United States v. Bobby G. SealeCourt of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit · 1972
- United States of America and Interstate Commerce Commission, and v. The Greyhound Corporation and Greyhound Lines, Inc., AndCourt of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit · 1974
- Commonwealth v. GarrisonSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1978
- In Re Darwin Charles BrownCourt of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit · 1971
- In Re JohnsonSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1976
5 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by9 opinions
- State v. JenkinsSupreme Court of Kansas · 1997
- Ricci v. GearySuperior Court of Pennsylvania · 1996
- In re C.W.Superior Court of Pennsylvania · 2008
- Commonwealth v. ZacherSuperior Court of Pennsylvania · 1997
- Matter of JamesSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1984
4 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.