gistfile1.txt

class Contact_Model extends Model
{
    public function read_contact($contact_id)
    {
        
        if(is_numeric($contact_id))
        {
            $query = ORM::factory('contact', $contact_id)->find();
        }
        else throw new Exception('Not a valid contact ID');
        
        if($query->loaded)
        {
            return $query;
        }
        else throw new Exception('Contact not found.');
    }