Stone v. Reddix-Smalls

Gregory, Chief Justice:

This appeal is from an order of the circuit court reversing a contempt order issued by a probate judge. We reverse.

Respondent is a lawyer who appeared before Judge Stone in probate court while representing a client in a proceeding for appointment of a committee. Judge Stone found respondent in contempt after several retorts challenging the judge’s authority, including a disparaging comment on the judge’s “professionalism.”

Judge Stone held respondent in contempt and fined her fifty dollars. On appeal, the circuit court found respondent’s remarks inappropriate, but…