Coleman v. the State (four Cases)

Summary

The court held that Coleman and Walker could be compelled to answer questions concerning the crimes to which they pleaded guilty and the contents of their plea hearings because those answers could not expose them to additional criminal jeopardy. Coleman could not be compelled to provide sworn answers about his unsworn proffer because those answers could supply links in a chain of evidence supporting a federal prosecution. The court also held that the appellants' refusals during one examination constituted only one contemptuous incident each, requiring reversal or vacation of the multiple convictions and remand for single-count resentencing; it did not reach Walker's Eighth Amendment claim.