Opinion ID: 2402261
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Taylor's Contempt of Court

Text: We sustained the motion of attorney Frank E. Haddad, Jr. for leave to file an amicus curiae brief. The amicus curiae urges us to hold that Taylor should not be held in contempt of court because, as counsel for a defendant in a criminal case, he should not be compelled to disclose the identity of prospective defense witnesses. Appellees Taylor and Oliver make similar arguments. We have recently ruled on a related subject in Lowe Jr. J. v. Commonwealth, 712 S.W.2d 944 (1986), but we decline to make any further ruling in this case; there is no constitutional compulsion for us to do so, Commonwealth v. Donovan, Ky., 610 S.W.2d 601 (1980); United States v. Nobles, 422 U.S. 225, 95 S.Ct. 2160, 45 L.Ed.2d 141 (1975). The issue before us in these cases is not whether Judge Leibson had the right to order attorney Taylor to identify his witnesses, but rather whether Taylor complied with a direct order of the Court. Taylor did not so comply, and it therefore follows that he was in contempt of court. Despite the implications that may be drawn from such cases as Herr v. Humphrey, 277 Ky. 421, 126 S.W.2d 809 (1939), it is clear that proceedings on writs of prohibition seeking relief from citations for contempt of court should not be used as vehicles for testing whether or not the Trial Court committed a legal error when it issued the order that was disobeyed. Except in rare and extraordinary circumstances, orders issued by a Trial Court must be obeyed, whether they are erroneous or not. Respectable authority teaches: . . . [W]e find impressive authority for the proposition that an order issued by a court with jurisdiction over the subject matter and person must be obeyed by the parties until it is reversed by orderly and proper proceedings. This is true without regard even for the constitutionality of the Act under which the order is issued. . . . Violations of an order are punishable as criminal contempt even though the order is set aside on appeal . . . or though the basic action has become moot. United States v. United Mine Workers of America, 330 U.S. 258, 293-294, 67 S.Ct. 677, 695, 696, 91 L.Ed. 884 (1947). There remains the very formidable question of whether a person may with impunity knowingly violate an order which turns out to be invalid. We hold that in the circumstances of this case he may not. . . . Absent a showing of transparent invalidity or patent frivolity surrounding the order, it must be obeyed until reversed by orderly review. . . . United States v. Dickinson, 465 F.2d 496, 509 (C.A. 6th, 1972) (emphasis the court's). Accord, City of Covington v. Sanitation District No. 1 of Campbell and Kenton Counties, 459 S.W.2d 85 (1970). Taylor refused to obey the Court's order, therefore he was in contempt. Taylor's contempt was criminal in that his conduct was directed against the dignity and authority of the court. Ketcham v. Commonwealth, 204 Ky. 168, 170, 263 S.W. 725, 726 (1924). [1] At other times, he also made derogatory remarks in the presence of the Court, but he was not cited for them, and therefore we cannot rule on whether or not the remarks constituted contempt. However we can and must hold that despite our finding that Taylor was guilty of contempt, he cannot be punished therefor. He requested, and was denied leave to seek appellate relief from the Trial Court's ruling holding him in contempt. He was instructed that he must proceed with the trial. He was denied the right to contest the contempt ruling in another court, and therefore he cannot be punished therefor. It is indeed ironic that the conduct of Taylor in another trial should have led to the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States on the subject of the right to a hearing in a contempt situation, Taylor v. Hayes, 418 U.S. 488, 94 S.Ct. 2697, 41 L.Ed. 897 (1974).