Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-12-30

The following Article is epubhcd from paper of the
81 June last at the request of Member of the Leg
latuTn:--
In CHANGING at the "Peua Codcn of Louisiana fran
eddy Mr.. Livingston, who in opinion is the most
profound and phlosophc jurist i'll this country felt
humbcd at the striking contrast exhibited between its
provisions the important subject OF offences against
the Judiciary Department of the Government, and
the now established Law OF Contcmp,s in Virginia.
While with scrupuous he protects the Judge,
when in the actual discharge his judicial duties from
insult and rdigny, ne naniests the deepest soci,uie
TO shield the liberty and secure the property Of the ct-
zen from the abuse of arbitrary power, and with an
enlightened forecast which peculiarly characteristics hi
great anj comprehensive mind he guards against the op
pressive of the unlimited authority with which
the common law invests these unctionaries by clearly
and distinctly defining every act omission, which
should constitute Contempt of Court and the punish
ment which should be annexed 10 it, We communicate
for the information of the public the whole chapter rela
ting TO this class of offences.
CHATTER 1lth-P. ST.
fTt If any shall, during the session of any court
o justice III the presence of the court, by words by
making Glamour, noise, wully obstruct the pro
ceed!ngS ofsuch court shall refuse to obey any legal
order Of sucn court for tho maintenance order or to
preserve regularity of proceedings court, shall be
lawful for the said court TO the offender be re-
moved BY the proper officer oil Justice from the building
III which the sessions of such held and if such
offender sda persevere III returning to and disturbing
said COURT Shall also be lawful for them to cause him
to be imprisoned, during the time the shall be in
session, durn- the same day. And the party offending
against this article guilty of msdeneanor and shall
be punished by hne not exceeding 800 and by mprison-
ment not exceeding three days.
.4rt II any person SHALL eithe' verbally in court, or
IN any pleading writing addressed TO the Judges in
any cause pending III any of justice, any
decorous, contemporaries insulting expressions TO- or
OF the court the Judges thereof with intent TO insult
the said court any of SAID Judges he shall be pun
ished BY simple Imprisonment than fifteen days
and by hno not eXceed'ng $780, and the fact Of The intent
with which the words were used, and also whether they
iadeco,os contcDtuous or insulting shall be de-
cded by Jurs, who snail try the The said pun
lsh'D8ut shall be doubled second conviction for an
offence under this article, and for third the party shall
III addition to the SAID punishment, if attorney or
COUNSELLOR be suspended for not less than nor more
than foug years from practising said court as attor-
ney OF counsellor al law, attorney in fact
Art: tany one shall obsruct the proceedings of a
court OF justice BY violence, threats of violence Of
fered either To the Judges, jurors, Witnesses parties or
attorneys or c0unselors, he shall be fined not less
than 500 and not exceeding $780, and be imprisoned
close custody; less than ten DAYS nor more than
SIX morhs and if the offender be attorney or coun
seilor at law, he shall be suspended from practising in
such court for not less than than three
years either attorney counsellor at law or as at
torney IN fact
4rt: Courts OF justice have power to in1ict any
punishment for offences committed against their author
iy other than those specially provided for by this code
and the code OF procedure al proceedings for offences
heretofore denCnnated conteInpts, abolished. All
offences created by this chapter shall tried on indct-
mcnt inform alton III the usual FORM.