Civil Contempt

Civil contempt refers to a legal situation where a person disobeys a court order, typically in a civil case. The purpose is to compel compliance and uphold the court’s authority, rather than to punish the individual. For example, if a court orders someone to pay child support and they refuse, they may be held in civil contempt. The court may impose penalties, such as fines or even jail time, until the individual complies with the order. Unlike criminal contempt, which focuses on punishment for actions against the court itself, civil contempt aims to enforce rights and obligations defined by the court.