Bloom

Attorney Allen Bloom seeks a writ of prohibition to prevent his contempt trial. For the reasons set forth below we issue the writ.

On January 22, 1986, Bloom was conducting jury voir dire during a hearing under Penal Code section 1368 regarding his client’s competence to stand trial. Bloom asked a prospective juror the type of criminal case on which the juror had previously sat. The trial court ruled the question was improper and directed Bloom to “move to a different area” of inquiry. Bloom failed to comply with the court’s order. After making several requests of Bloom to “move to a different area,” the court excused the jury and cited Bloom for contempt. At his sentencing Bloom made a statement explaining his reasons for wishing to make the voir dire inquiries in question. The court rejected those reasons and ordered Bloom to pay a $350 fine.

Bloom successfully petitioned for a writ of habeas corpus from this court. In an unpublished opinion (In re Allen R. Bloom on Habeas Corpus, Apr. 10, 1986, D004293) we annulled the contempt order.

After issuing our opinion, the trial court reinstituted the contempt charge against Bloom by a written order to show cause setting…