{"id":369025,"date":"2019-05-10T11:17:48","date_gmt":"2019-05-10T16:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/legal-system\/contempt-of-congress-process-and-penalties.html"},"modified":"2025-08-07T20:21:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T01:21:23","slug":"contempt-of-congress-process-and-penalties","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/contempt-of-congress-process-and-penalties.html","title":{"rendered":"Contempt of Congress: Process and Penalties"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Contempt of Congress: Process and Penalties<\/h1>\n
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\n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jordan Walker, J.D.<\/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 Congress is the legal offense of disobeying or disrespecting the authority of the U.S. legislative branch through actions like refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas, disrupting proceedings, or obstructing investigations. This federal offense typically arises when individuals fail to respond to legally binding orders from congressional committees during their oversight and lawmaking functions. Penalties include criminal prosecution with up to one year in jail and $100,000 in fines.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

\u201cContempt\u201d is a term used for disrespectful conduct during legal proceedings. You\u2019ve maybe heard a judge in a courtroom drama tell a party they\u2019ll be \u201cheld in contempt.\u201d While contempt of court<\/a> is far more common, we also have contempt of Congress. But what does it mean? And who can be found in contempt of Congress? Is it just for lawmakers?<\/p>\r\n

In this article, we’ll explore this concept and the related legal processes. We’ll also take a deep dive into congressional subpoenas from which most contempt of Congress issues stem.<\/p>\r\n

If you’ve received a subpoena from Congress or a state legislature or are otherwise facing contempt charges at any level, you’ll want to speak with a qualified litigation\/appeals attorney<\/a>. They can help you understand your options within a rather confusing legal landscape.<\/p>\r\n

In the meantime, let’s review some of the basics.<\/p>\r\n

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

Contempt of Congress is a legal term for the act(s) of someone disobeying or disrespecting the authority of Congress.<\/p>\r\n

Congress is the legislative branch<\/a> of the federal government. It is responsible for representing the American people by making laws and overseeing the executive branch<\/a>. It consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives.<\/p>\r\n

Both houses of Congress use committees and subcommittees to divide work. This allows members to hold hearings, review legislation, and conduct congressional investigations efficiently within specialized areas.<\/p>\r\n

If someone’s actions interfere with, obstruct, or disrespect Congress’s authority, they may be held in contempt of Congress.<\/p>\r\n

These actions might include:<\/p>\r\n