Opinion
No. 83-1855.
April 11, 1984.
Appeal from the Circuit Court, Broward County, Paul M. Marko III, J.
David L. Kahn, in pro. per.
Jim Smith, Atty. Gen., Tallahassee, and James P. McLane, Asst. Atty. Gen., West Palm Beach, for appellee.
The trial court held appellant, counsel in a civil case, in direct criminal contempt for certain conduct which occurred during trial. The court failed to comply fully with Rule 3.830, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, which requires the court to inform the alleged contemnor of the accusation against him, inquire whether he can show cause why he should not be adjudged guilty of contempt, and give him an opportunity to present evidence of mitigating circumstances. Compliance with these procedural safeguards is mandatory. Holden v. State, 380 So.2d 548 (Fla. 2d DCA 1980). We therefore reverse and remand with directions to conduct a hearing in compliance with Rule 3.830.
REVERSED AND REMANDED WITH DIRECTIONS.
DOWNEY, HERSEY and DELL, JJ., concur.