George E. Shibley v. United States

During the trial of defendant, who is a lawyer, on several counts of contempt alleged to have been committed before a United States Marine Corps Court of Inquiry, the United States District Judge warned Shibley, who was acting as attorney in his own defense, that he was contemptuous of the District Court. After verdict, the trial judge ordered the matter of summary contempt to be brought before the court at a later date. A Certificate of Contempt of George E. Shib-ley was entered on a date considerably postponed, and, based thereon, the trial court adjudged Shibley guilty and sentenced him to imprisonment for thirty days.

The Certificate of Contempt is a voluminous document based upon actions, words and conduct of Shibley, an attorney, in open court, which were heard, seen and observed by the trial judge presiding, according to the declarations therein contained.

The record bears out the statements of the certificate in essential particulars. The evidence was amply sufficient to sustain the charges.

There is no question but that Shibley abused his position as lawyer for himself as defendant. He consistently spoke and acted with complete contempt of the court. He attempted to…