What is a contempt of court?

Contempt of court is when someone disobeys an order issued by a court or fails to comply with court proceedings. This may be done intentionally or unintentionally. Some common examples of contempt of court in West Virginia include failing to appear for a court date, failing to obey a court order, or interrupting court proceedings. In most cases, a judge will give the person who has been found in contempt a reasonable opportunity to explain their actions before any consequences are imposed. Depending on the severity of the situation, the judge may issue a warning or a fine. In more serious cases, however, they may even find the person guilty of contempt of court and sentence them to a jail term. It is important to remember that a person may not be aware that their actions constitute contempt of court. Even so, they may still be held accountable for their actions.

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What is a contempt of court?

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