Associated Press - November 21, 2009 6:25 PM ET

TAOS, N.M. (AP) - A judge who had warned people in a courtroom gallery to remain quiet during a hearing for a convicted rapist jailed more than 30 people for contempt of court when he said they became unruly and defiant.

The judge charged the crowd with contempt of court Thursday and sent them to jail, where they remained until being released Friday.

Taos County Attorney Adam Baker says the state Supreme Court granted an emergency writ to release them.

The charges were not dropped, however.

Members of the group - who range in age from 18 to 71 - will face a judge Monday to hear the contempt of court charge.

Baker says he's never heard of such a mass arrest for contempt of court.

Information from: KOAT-TV, http://www.thenewmexicochannel.com/index.html

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