Tipton v. City of Lakewood

Michael Tipton (petitioner) petitioned this court to review his conviction for contempt of court on the basis that his refusal to answer certain questions posed by the Municipal Court of the City of Lakewood was founded on the proper exercise of his rights under the Fifth Amendment. The district court affirmed. We agree with the petitioner and reverse his conviction.

The petitioner appeared in municipal court on February 27, 1978, pursuant to a subpoena issued by that court. He appeared in his capacity as father of a juvenile who was charged with a traffic offense. The municipal code provided…