Wilco DA Jana Duty found guilty of contempt of court

Williamson County District Attorney Jana Duty was taken to jail today after a judge found her guilty on four counts of contempt of court.

Judge Rick Kennon brought the contempt charge against Duty in May after she violated a gag order and then failed to show up for court to discuss the violation.

Duty appeared in court this morning to face the contempt charges.

A visiting judge sentenced her to 10 days in jail and a $500 fine. She will not serve that immediately as she is deciding whether to appeal.

The initial gag order involved a murder case that occurred in Cedar Park in 2009.

She told the judge in an email that she commented to the Austin American Statesman to defend herself.

If Duty does appeal and loses that appeal she must serve the 10 days in jail.