Failure to appear; contempt of court, penalties.

Penalties for failure to appear; contempt.Provides that any person (i) charged with a felony offense or misdemeanoroffense or (ii) convicted of a felony offense or misdemeanor offenseand execution of sentence is suspended who willfully fails to appearbefore any court or judicial officer as required may be punishedfor contempt. Under current law, such person is guilty of a Class6 felony, if charged with a felony, or a Class 1 misdemeanor, ifcharged with a misdemeanor, for such a violation. The bill excludesfrom such penalty persons who are incarcerated or in the custodyof a law-enforcement officer at the time such person is requiredto appear. The bill also eliminates a court's authority to punishsummarily a contempt of court for willful failure to appear.