In re Jefferson
Georgia Supreme Court
657 S.E.2d 830, 283 Ga. 216 (2008)
- Written by Sara Adams, JD
Facts
Sherri Jefferson (defendant) was an attorney practicing juvenile law in Georgia. During Jefferson’s representation of a minor client in delinquency proceedings in juvenile court, Jefferson made multiple challenges to evidentiary rulings that favored the prosecution. The minor was adjudicated delinquent. At the minor’s dispositional hearing, the juvenile judge (plaintiff) provided Jefferson with notice of contempt charges based on eight statements made by Jefferson during the delinquency hearings. The juvenile judge recused himself, and a new judge was assigned to oversee the contempt proceedings. The assigned judge found, based on oral testimony and the record of the delinquency hearings, that two of Jefferson’s eight statements constituted contempt because they had challenged the impartiality of the court and, therefore, had challenged the court’s dignity. Jefferson’s sentence included 30 days in county jail and a $500 fine. Jefferson appealed, and the Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed the finding of contempt. Jefferson appealed to the Georgia Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Hunstein, J.)
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