Donovan v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County

[39 Cal2d Page 850] Petitioners, John F. Donovan and Jeanette G. Donovan, seek the annulment of a judgment of contempt in which they were fined respectively $2,000 and $4,500. They contend that the trial court was without jurisdiction to render the judgment, and that the fines imposed are excessive and constitute ""unusual punishment"" in violation of the Eighth Amendment to the federal Constitution and article I, section 6 of the California Constitution. We have concluded that these contentions cannot be sustained and that the judgment must be affirmed.