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Lawyer Charged With Contempt Of Court

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By DAVID SOMMER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 30, 2007

Updated: 12/29/2007 11:59 pm

NEW PORT RICHEY - Lawyer Jessica Miller got a look at the Pasco County Jail from behind bars Friday.

Miller, whose license to practice law is pending suspension, turned herself in on a bench warrant issued this month after she failed to appear in court.
Circuit Judge Shawn Crane issued the warrant after learning Miller chose to travel to Maryland for Christmas rather than answer an order to explain why she should not be held in contempt for failing to follow previous court orders, according to Assistant State Attorney Mary Handsel.

Crane asked prosecutors to investigate Miller's handling of a pending divorce case after she broke a promise made in October to turn over more than $28,000 from the sale of a home in the case of Morales v. Morales.

The judge issued an arrest warrant after Miller failed to show up in his courtroom Dec. 20 to explain herself, court records indicate.

Miller's legal troubles began this year after William Morales began asking what happened to the proceeds of the sale of a home owned by him and his wife, Nancy Morales, the prosecutor said Saturday.

William Morales eventually fired Miller and hired new counsel. Crane then ordered Miller to transfer the $28,000 to the new lawyer's trust account.

"She told the judge in open court she would do that within seven days, and that was back in October," Handsel said.

"She doesn't have the money and the trust account has a negative balance," the prosecutor said.

Attempts to reach Miller for comment were unsuccessful Saturday.

The Florida Supreme Court has been asked by the Florida Bar to suspend Miller's license to practice law.

Miller, 29, spent about 90 minutes in jail Friday before her husband, a Pinellas County sheriff's deputy, paid bail set at $5,000, jail records show.

Reporter David Sommer can be reached at (727) 815-1087 or dsommer@tampatrib.com.

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