Ga. Supreme Court Issues Stay Of Judge's Order
ADA: District Attorney Said Not To Pay The Fine
POSTED: 4:24 pm EST November 12, 2009
UPDATED: 6:28 pm EST November 12, 2009
ATLANTA -- The Georgia Supreme Court issued a stay early Thursday evening of a judge's contempt order against a Fulton County assistant district attorney, according to a statement released by District Attorney Paul Howard's office.Linda Dunikowski was jailed by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Marvin Arrington after he said she failed to pay a fine in connection with a contempt of court charge from Oct. 6.Arrington said in a court order Thursday that District Attorney Paul Howard confronted Arrington after he jailed Linda Dunikoski and demanded her release.
The judge said Howard shouted in his face that he was "making a mockery of the judiciary" and said Howard later burst into his office and had to be escorted out. Arrington said the tirade made him fear for his safety.The episode unfolded after Arrington ordered Dunikoski jailed for failing to pay a $100 fine within 30 days after she was cited for contempt. She was reprimanded on Oct. 6 for continuing to argue points after Arrington had ruled on them.
CBS Atlanta's Lesley Tanner reported Thursday afternoon that Dunikoski said that Howard told her not to pay the fine.Kunikoski was released from jail Thursday afternoon."I was placed in the Fulton County lockup back in the courtroom, where usually the murderers and rapists are held. This arrest was illegal, arbitrary and personally demeaning to me and my family," Kunikoski said.A representative for the Superior Court of Georgia released this statement Thursday afternoon: "Attached is an order of contempt issued today by Superior Court of Fulton County Judge Marvin S. Arrington Sr. against Assistant Fulton County District Attorney Linda Dunikoski. The document also orders Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard to show cause at a future hearing before another judge why he should not be held in contempt for actions related to the contempt order against Ms. Dunikoski. No further statement will be issued by the Court on today's action."
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The judge said Howard shouted in his face that he was "making a mockery of the judiciary" and said Howard later burst into his office and had to be escorted out. Arrington said the tirade made him fear for his safety.The episode unfolded after Arrington ordered Dunikoski jailed for failing to pay a $100 fine within 30 days after she was cited for contempt. She was reprimanded on Oct. 6 for continuing to argue points after Arrington had ruled on them.
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CBS Atlanta's Lesley Tanner reported Thursday afternoon that Dunikoski said that Howard told her not to pay the fine.Kunikoski was released from jail Thursday afternoon."I was placed in the Fulton County lockup back in the courtroom, where usually the murderers and rapists are held. This arrest was illegal, arbitrary and personally demeaning to me and my family," Kunikoski said.A representative for the Superior Court of Georgia released this statement Thursday afternoon: "Attached is an order of contempt issued today by Superior Court of Fulton County Judge Marvin S. Arrington Sr. against Assistant Fulton County District Attorney Linda Dunikoski. The document also orders Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard to show cause at a future hearing before another judge why he should not be held in contempt for actions related to the contempt order against Ms. Dunikoski. No further statement will be issued by the Court on today's action."
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