Cahalin v. Goodman

CERCONE, President Judge:

This is an appeal from the April 4, 1978, order of the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County, holding appellant, Salena E. Rebert, in contempt. Two issues are presented on appeal: namely, whether the court below had the authority to summarily hold the appellant in contempt of court, and whether the court violated appellant’s Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination.

The circumstances surrounding the issuance of the contempt citation involved a child custody matter. A lengthy recitation of both the facts and procedural history is necessary before any…