Robert Michael Ardis v. Sarah Harper Ardis

Robert Ardis appeals a 2013 indirect criminal contempt order and 30-day jail sentence arising from alleged violations of a 2009 protection against domestic violence (DV) order. We reverse and remand because the contempt order and sentence were based partly upon charges that the State had nolle processed and the trial court had dismissed, and partly upon incidents occurring after the DV order had expired.

Background

This case stems from proceedings towards the end of the parties’ marriage. Appellee Sarah Harper Ardis sought and received domestic violence protection from her husband by way of a…