State v. Christon

Defendants-Appellants Jim Christon and Carl Goraleski, both of whom are attorneys, were found in contempt of court and fined $500 each for refusing to proceed to trial in a case in which they were co-counsel. Christon and Goraleski appeal pro se from the findings of contempt. Because the circumstances applying to both appellants are identical, these appeals have been consolidated. Christon and Goraleski jointly assert three assignments of error, claiming that the findings of contempt were an abuse of discretion, denied their clients due process, and constituted an improper civil contempt. For…