United States v. Peoples, No. 11-4963 (4th Cir. 2012)
Annotate this CaseDefendant challenged two convictions for criminal contempt. The court affirmed the first contempt conviction where the record fully supported the judge's findings that defendant's profane language in the courtroom constituted intentional misbehavior that obstructed the administration of justice. Because the second contempt conviction resulted from a summary proceeding erroneously denying defendant his opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner, the court concluded that this error affected his substantial rights. Accordingly, the court affirmed in Case No. 11-4963 and reversed in Case No. 11-4965.
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