In Re Jefferson

657 S.E.2d 830, 283 Ga. 216 (2008)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

D appeared in the last of a series of delinquency hearings on behalf of a minor client, B. W. who was charged as a party to the crime of aggravated battery and related offenses in connection with a shooting in which B. W. was alleged to have supplied the weapon and “egged on” the shooter. D repeatedly challenged the trial court's rulings upholding the prosecutor's hearsay objections to questions D posed regarding the contents of statements the alleged shooter made to police. B. W. was adjudicated delinquent. At the end of the hearing, the trial judge issued a Notice of Contempt and Show Cause Order charging D with contempt, citing eight instances including inappropriate facial expressions, disrespectful tone of voice, and improper statements. The trial judge recused himself, and another judge was designated to hear the contempt citation. At the end of the hearing, the trial judge issued a Notice of Contempt and Show Cause Order charging D with contempt, citing eight instances including inappropriate facial expressions, disrespectful tone of voice, and improper statements. The trial judge recused himself, and another judge was designated to hear the contempt citation. D was sentenced to 30 days' imprisonment and a $500 fine. The Court of Appeals affirmed and D appealed.