Commonwealth v. Grimes

By Judge Robert P. Doherty, Jr.

The Defendants in this matter have asserted that they have a right to a trial before a juiy on the charges of contempt of the Pittsylvania County Circuit Court. Conversely, the Special Prosecutor urges the Court to deny the Defendants’ request on the basis that the period of incarceration being sought by the Commonwealth will not exceed five months and, as such, the charge constitutes a petty offense that does not trigger the right to trial by jury. For the reasons stated below, the Court finds that, under the facts of this case, the Defendants do not have a…