Legal Dictionary
Main Entry:
con·temptPronunciation:
k&n-'temptFunction:
noun 1 : willful disobedience or open disrespect of the orders, authority, or dignity of a court or judge acting in a judicial capacity by disruptive language or conduct or by failure to obey the court's orders;
also : the offense of contempt called also
contempt of court
civil contempt : contempt that consists of disobedience to a court order in favor of the opposing party
NOTE: The sanctions for civil contempt end upon compliance with the order.
constructive contempt : INDIRECT CONTEMPT in this entry
criminal contempt : contempt consisting of conduct that disrupts or opposes the proceedings or power of the court
NOTE: The sanctions for criminal contempt are designed to punish as well as to coerce compliance.
direct contempt : contempt committed in the presence of the court or in a location close enough to disrupt the court's proceedings
in·di·rect contempt : contempt (as disobedience of a court order) that occurs outside of the presence of the court
2 : willful disobedience to a lawful order of or willful obstruction of a legislative body in the course of exercising its powers <
contempt of Congress>—
in contempt : in the state of having been found guilty of contempt
in contempt —A. M. Dershowitz>
[kuh
n-tempt] 