{"id":352035,"date":"2023-09-29T17:19:41","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T22:19:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/criminal-contempt-of-court.html"},"modified":"2025-05-21T17:19:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T22:19:00","slug":"criminal-contempt-of-court","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/criminal-contempt-of-court.html","title":{"rendered":"Criminal Contempt of Court"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Criminal Contempt of Court<\/h1>\n
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\n By Joseph Fawbush, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Contempt of court generally refers to conduct that disrespects the authority or dignity of a court. Or, the conduct defies a lawful order of the court. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

The public is widely familiar with the phrase "contempt of court" from high-profile legal disputes grabbing headlines. Fewer will know exactly what the phrase means or what constitutes criminal contempt of court.<\/p>\r\n

The theory behind contempt of court recognizes that judges need to curb actions viewed as detrimental to the court’s ability to administer justice<\/a>. If there was no penalty for refusing to obey courts, the judicial branch’s authority<\/a> would be undermined. So by extension, contempt of court also protects the balance within the government. <\/p>\r\n

What Is Contempt of Court?<\/h2>\r\n

Criminal contempt of court refers to behavior that disobeys, offends, or disrespects the authority or dignity of a court. It can occur directly, in the presence of the court, or indirectly, outside the presence of the judge.<\/p>\r\n

Criminal contempt charges become separate charges from the underlying case. Adjudication of charges and punishment for criminal contempt may continue after resolution of the underlying case.<\/p>\r\n

You could end up with a contempt conviction if the court determines you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. That’s why you may want a defense lawyer<\/a>, even if the act happened in the context of someone else’s case. Your attorney can protect your rights.<\/p>\r\n

Criminal vs. Civil Contempt of Court<\/h2>\r\n

Judges typically have a great amount of discretion in deciding whom to hold in contempt and the type of contempt. A person found in contempt of court is known as a "contemnor." <\/p>\r\n

Those held in contempt can include:<\/p>\r\n