Criminal Contempt

Criminal contempt refers to actions that disrespect or disrupt the authority and proceedings of a court. This can include behaviors like refusing to obey a court order, showing disrespect to a judge, or disrupting court proceedings. It is considered a crime because it undermines the legal system's integrity and function. Penalties for criminal contempt can include fines or imprisonment, and it is separate from other legal cases, meaning a person can be found in contempt even if they are not on trial for a different charge.