Lawyer Arrested and Held in Contempt
Yesterday, during the trial of rapper Young Thug, defense attorney Brian Steel was arrested and charged with contempt of court. Steel’s arrest followed a motion for a mistrial he filed after discovering that the judge, EUR Glenville, had held ex parte communications with the district attorney and a witness, a violation of standard legal procedure.
Defense Community Rallies
A dozen defense attorneys appeared in court to support Brian Steel. Steel’s own attorney, who had previously initiated the removal of district attorney Fani Willis from the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump, represented him.
Contempt Charge and Jail Sentence
Judge Glenville held Steel in contempt for refusing to reveal his source of information about the improper meeting. The judge ordered Steel to serve 20 days in jail, to be carried out over the next 10 weekends.
Supreme Court Intervention
The Georgia Supreme Court intervened, stating that Steel would not have to report to jail this weekend pending the outcome of his appeal. This decision came after the judge’s initial ruling required Steel to start serving his sentence on Father’s Day weekend.
Legal Arguments and Disputes
During the contempt proceedings, Steel’s attorney argued that the judge could not hold him in contempt without proper due process and that the judge was a witness to the ex parte communications. They contended that Steel was entitled to a hearing, representation, and the right to call witnesses, which had not been provided.
Ongoing Legal Battle
The dispute centered on whether Steel’s contempt was criminal or civil, with implications for his right to due process. The judge maintained that Steel’s actions warranted immediate contempt charges, while Steel’s defense argued for his rights under legal standards for due process in criminal contempt cases.
