Smith v. Stafford, Unpublished Decision (12-27-2001)

JOURNAL ENTRY and OPINION

This case is before the court on appeal from a decision of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, finding appellant Anthony Stafford in contempt for failure to appear at a hearing and fining him $250. Stafford urges:

I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED, AS A MATTER OF LAW, TO THE PREJUDICE OF THE DEFENDANT-APPELLANT BY PROCEEDING WITH A HEARING WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF DEFENDANT-APPELLANT'S COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL, IN ORDER FOR DEFENDANT-APPELLANT TO BE ADEQUATELY EXPLAINED HIS RIGHTS.

II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED, AS A MATTER OF LAW, TO THE PREJUDICE OF THE…