Court Opinion

ID: 9768351
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 05:57:52.511127+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:30:39.707456
License: Public Domain

Richard B. Adkisson, Chief Justice. The Miller County Circuit Court held petitioner, an attorney, in contempt of court for advising his client in open court that it was not necessary for him to follow a lawful order of the court. Petitioner was sentenced to 24 hours in jail and fined $250. On appeal, we affirm. The conduct which gave rise to the trial court’s finding of contempt occurred after the client’s case had been called. As petitioner and his client approached the bench the judge stated that he believed that the client was drunk. The following exchange then took place: BY THE COURT: Let’s take a breathalizer and see. Go with the sheriff. BY MR. DAVIS: Just a minute. I don’t see why he should be made to take one. It’s self-incriminatory, and he should be advised that he — BY THE COURT Because he is staggering and coming around here in open court, and I asked him if he’s had anything to drink, and he says he hadn’t. BY THE DEFENDANT: That was because of my boots that — BY MR. DAVIS: You don’t have to take the test. BY THE COURT. Yes, he will take the test, Mr. Davis. Mr. Sheriff, take him down. Now, if you want to get an order to stop me, you go ahead and get one, sir. But when I order one here in front, don’t you tell somebody they don’t have to do it. BY MR. DAVIS: He’s my client, Your Honor. I can advise him as I see fit. If I’m wrong — BY THE COURT: If I’m wrong, you can take me to the Supreme Court, but don’t get here in front of this court and tell somebody not to obey an order that I have just given. You hear me, sir? BY MR. DAVIS: I hear you. Although an attorney has a duty to represent his client zealously, he should not engage in conduct which offends the dignity of the court. An attorney may make a proper objection to a ruling of the court but then should abide by the ruling so long as it remains in effect. Stewart v. State, 221 Ark. 496, 254 S.W.2d 55 (1953). Here, petitioner was clearly in contempt of court when he specifically advised his client in open court that he could disregard a lawful court order which had just been made. Petitioner does not question the court’s authority to order a breathalizer but alleges that the following statement did not constitute an order: “Let’s take a breathalizer and see. Go with the sheriff.” It is obvious from petitioner’s immediate response that even he believed it to be an order: BY MR. DAVIS: Just a minute. I don’t see why he should be made to take one. It’s self-incriminatory, and he should be advised that he — The statement was clearly taken as an order by the court and all present, and it was, in fact, an order. See Hall v. State, 237 Ark. 293, 372 S.W.2d 603 (1963). Petitioner also argues that he merely advised his client that he did not have to take the test, which is different from advising his client to disobey the order. We fail to see or appreciate this fine distinction under the facts of this case. Affirmed. Dudley, J., not participating. Purtle, J., dissents.