Judge Pompous issues an order requiring anyone attending a trial to submit all written materials to the bailiff after the trial, so the material can be photocopied and checked for errors. Rag reporter Scoop Story knows the order is far beyond the judge's authority, so he ignores it without appealing it. Sure enough, Pompous finds Story guilty of contempt of court. Story then appeals the case. The appeals court, following precedent, will find the order unconstitutional and will overrule the contempt citation. Because Pompous's order was inappropriate, Story is not required to abide by it.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Even unconstitutional orders should be followed. Otherwise reporters (and others) might take the law into their own hands and courtroom decorum suffers. If Scoop had tried appealing the order and there was not time enough for a challenge to be heard Scoop might get away with it, but that is not the situation in this case.

Judge Pompous Issues an Order Requiring Anyone Attending a Trial