State v. Moquin

The facts in this case are relatively simple. Appellant was summoned as a witness in a criminal case, but refused to be sworn or to testify, stating that he was not a “snitch” or a “rat.” Given full immunity and an attorney, he persisted in this attitude. Thereupon, the trial judge summarily found him in contempt, and issued written findings and an order. Appellant greeted the announcement of the court’s decision with a violent outburst and profanity in open court. The court’s sentence, admittedly the sole basis for this appeal, read:

THAT Daniel Moquin is hereby held in contempt of Court and…