What is a motion for an order of contempt?

A motion for an order of contempt is a legal request filed with the court by a party to a lawsuit, usually asking that the court orders another party to comply with a court order. In Washington, this type of motion is regulated by the Rules of Civil Procedure. Contempt is when someone disregards or disobeys a court order. Parties to a lawsuit who fail to comply with an order could be held in contempt by the court. When a party files a motion for an order of contempt, they are asking the court to issue an order that the other parties must comply with the court order or face punishment. For example, if a court order states that a party must make regular payments of money to another party, and the other party fails to make those payments, then the party receiving the payments could file a motion for an order of contempt. The court would then decide whether the other party had willfully failed to comply with the court order and, if so, could punish them for their contempt. In Washington, civil procedures regarding motions for an order of contempt are controlled by the Rules of Civil Procedure. These rules must be followed in the filing, hearing, and adjudicating of any such motion. The court can impose fines, jail time, or other penalties on those held in contempt of court.

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What is a motion for an order of contempt?

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