Opinion ID: 1059550
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Chesterfield County Circuit Court Proceeding

Text: In October 1997, Morrissey appeared in the Circuit Court of Chesterfield County to represent a criminal defendant during the sentencing phase of a trial. The Honorable William R. Shelton, who presided during the trial, fixed the defendant's punishment at 25 years' imprisonment with ten years suspended. After the court had pronounced its sentence, Morrissey stated in response: That's outrageous, that is absolutely outrageous. The court cited Morrissey for contempt and sentenced him to ten days in jail. Then, Morrissey raised his voice and took two or three steps from the counsel table towards the bench and stated, I have never seen a more jaded, more bitter, more angry jurist in my life. Morrissey accused the court of sentencing Morrissey's client unfairly because of the court's purported dislike for Morrissey. The court sentenced Morrissey to 30 days in the county jail for violating Code § 18.2-456(3) and -456(4).