Opinion ID: 1105683
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: of Traci Evans

Text: I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN HEARING THIS MATTER ITSELF, IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT IT WAS A CONSTRUCTIVE CRIMINAL CONTEMPT CHARGE AND HEARING, AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO ANOTHER JUDGE. II. THE TRIAL COURT WAS IN ERROR IN A CONSTRUCTIVE CRIMINAL CONTEMPT HEARING BY VIOLATING APPELLANT'S DUE PROCESS RIGHTS IN DENYING APPELLANT'S RIGHT TO COUNSEL. III. THE TRIAL COURT COMMITTED REVERSIBLE ERROR DUE TO THE STATE'S FAILURE TO SUFFICIENTLY PROVE THE ELEMENTS OF CONSTRUCTIVE CRIMINAL CONTEMPT AND THAT THE APPELLANT WAS GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. ¶ 2. This Court holds that the contempt proceedings against Terry, McIlwain, and Evans should not have been heard by Judge Bogen, as he initiated the constructive contempt charges against the three. His failure to recuse is reversible error. The failure of Judge Bogen to invoke the rule was not reversible error because the appellants did not show how they were prejudiced by his failing to do so. Evans was erroneously charged because she did fall under the authority of URCCC 9.01. Finally, although moot, Evans was denied her right to counsel because Judge Bogen proceeded without informing her of her right to seek the advice of an attorney and the ramifications if she did not seek one. Therefore, this case is reversed and rendered.