People v. Berof

Defendant, Benny Berof, was found to be in contempt of court in swearing falsely concerning his qualifications to act as surety on a bond and he was ordered committed to the county jail for 90 days; he seeks a reversal of the order.

A direct contempt consists of something done in the presence of the court tending to obstruct justice or lessen the dignity of the court. Such contempt may be punished summarily, without preliminary process. People v. Cochrane, 307 Ill. 126. As defendant was found guilty of a direct contempt we must consider the sufficiency of the order alone. People ex rel. Bain…