What is a contempt of court?

Contempt of court is a type of criminal charge. It occurs when someone fails to obey a court order or ignores a judge’s command. In Louisiana, someone found guilty of contempt of court can be fined or sentenced to jail time. If someone is found to be in direct or indirect contempt of court, it means they have shown disrespect to the court or people present in the courtroom. Direct contempt of court usually happens in the courtroom and includes disrespectful comments or actions such as talking back to a judge, arguing with the judge, refusing to follow the court’s instructions, or interrupting court proceedings. Indirect contempt typically refers to disobeying an order made outside of the courtroom, including not paying court fines or failing to appear in court when ordered. No matter the form, contempt of court is a serious offense and carries real consequences.

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What is a contempt of court?

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