Court Opinion

ID: 9747462
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-27 15:16:29.08153+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:55:54.680893
License: Public Domain

Dissenting Opinion by
Mr. Chibe Justice Bell :
I believe defendant’s conduct was contemptuous, and I would reverse and remand for imposition of a “petty” sentence, viz., six months or less: Baldwin v. New York, 399 U.S. 66, 90 S. Ct. 1886—or for the appointment of new counsel and a new trial with a jury if the sentence imposed is over six months.
If the Legislature has fixed a maximum sentence or penalty which exceeds six months, the sentence or penalty is “serious” and requires a trial by jury. If the Legislature has not fixed a maximum sentence or penalty which exceeds six months, the sentence or penalty actually imposed is determinative of whether the contempt was “petty” or “serious.” Bloom v. Illinois, 391 U.S. 194.