Domestic Violence Case: Courtroom Contempt and Self-Representation

Max Tracy faces serious legal challenges after being held in contempt of court twice during his domestic violence hearing.

### Courtroom Tensions: Max Tracy's Domestic Violence Hearing
* ⚖ In Montesano, Washington, Judge Dave Edwards presided over a hearing for 28-year-old Max Tracy, charged with **domestic violence and multiple violations of no-contact orders**.
* 📜 State Attorney Jason Walker requested to consolidate Tracy's three violations into one case, arguing that it would be **efficient due to overlapping evidence and witnesses**.
* 👨 ‍⚖️ Tracy, representing himself from county jail, objected, claiming that joining the cases would be **prejudicial and deny him a fair trial**.
* 🔨 The judge ruled in favor of the state's motion, emphasizing the **redundancy of holding separate trials** for cases with similar evidence.
* 🚫 After attempting to speak further, Tracy was warned by the judge to **cease his interruptions**, leading to a **contempt ruling** against him.
* 📚 Tracy incorrectly claimed he lacked access to legal resources, but the judge informed him of the **available law library at the jail**.
* 😠 Frustration mounted as Tracy argued about his trial preparation, but the judge reminded him that he had **chosen to represent himself**.
* ⏳ Ultimately, Tracy was held in **contempt twice in just two minutes** and received an additional **30 days in jail**, with his domestic violence case still pending.

[narrator] Next, we go to a hearing in Montesano, Washington. Judge Dave Edwards presiding. 28-year-old Max Tracy has been charged with domestic violence. And since that charge was filed six months ago, Tracy has allegedly violated three no-contact orders with the victim. State Attorney Jason Walker is asking to roll the three violations into one case, a common request in domestic violence cases. I'm ready to hear it. So, uh, the... vast majority of the evidence in this case is all the same. The witnesses are the same, and it's the same victim. So it's strongly in the interest of judicial economy to, uh, join all these charges. All right, thank you. Mr. Tracy, do you wish to respond to that motion? Yes, I believe if I'm doing this right, I would object to that. [narrator] Tracy, who's being held in the county jail,

has chosen to represent himself. These are all separate circumstances, and none of them are in the same circumstances. So for them to be joined together would 100% be prejudicial against my case, and it would not allow me to have a proper, fair chance at trial. [narrator] After hearing Tracy out, the judge makes his ruling. All right, thank you, Mr. Tracy. Thank you, Your Honor. The court rules are rather clear. Uh, there's no reason to have three trials on-on these three cases when-when they contain so much, uh, overlapping evidence and, uh, identical witnesses. So I'm gonna grant the state's motion, all three of these cases will be joined for trial. Can I say one more thing, Your Honor? [Edwards] No, I've already ruled, Mr. Tracy. Uh, Mr. Walker, uh... Mr. Tracy, you're gonna be found in contempt.

Knock it off. [narrator] Tracy claims, incorrectly, that he doesn't have access to a law library. Mr. Tracy, there is a law library at the county jail. If you're having trouble accessing it, I-I suggest you-- I suggest you-- Mr. Tracy, you are now in contempt of court. Be quiet. Listen to what I'm telling you. [narrator] By now, both the judge and the defendant appear frustrated. It is not my job to assist you as you prepare for this trial. How am I supposed to adequately prepare myself for trial if I don't have any law material, Your Honor? This is crazy! Mr. Tracy, you're the one that forfeited your right to counsel, not me. You've-you've created a problem in there, not me. I object this hearing. Let's go. I'm done. I'm done. You guys are just corrupt, man.

[Edwards] All right, Mr. Walker, please prepare another order of contempt. [narrator] In a span of two minutes, Tracy has held in contempt not once, but twice. He was sentenced to an additional 30 days in jail. His domestic violence case is pending.

Domestic Violence Defendant LOSES His Temper | Court Cam | A&E

Joining Domestic Violence Charges in Montesano

Max Tracy, 28, is facing domestic violence charges and has violated no-contact orders with the victim three times.

The State Attorney is requesting to combine the violations into one case, citing overlapping evidence and identical witnesses.

Judge Dave Edwards grants the motion to join the cases for trial, despite Tracy's objection.

Tracy incorrectly claims he doesn't have access to a law library, but there is one at the county jail.

Tracy's lack of preparation and contemptuous behavior.

Tracy blames the court for his problems, insisting they are corrupt.

Tracy has been held in contempt of court twice in just two minutes.

As a result, he has been sentenced to an additional 30 days in jail.

He is also facing a pending domestic violence case.