English

Motion For Contempt

MO-shun fuhr kuhn-TEMPT
A legal motion filed in court to punish a party who has disobeyed a court order.
The plaintiff filed a motion for contempt after the defendant failed to comply with a court order to return the stolen property.
In re Harris (1977) - The Supreme Court held that a criminal defendant could be held in contempt for disobeying a court order, even if the order was later found to be invalid.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of contempt?

There are two main types of contempt: civil contempt and criminal contempt. Civil contempt is intended to coerce a party to comply with a court order. Criminal contempt is intended to punish a party who has willfully disobeyed a court order.

What are the penalties for contempt?

The penalties for contempt can vary depending on the severity of the offense. They may include fines, jail time, or both.

What are some defenses to a motion for contempt?

A party may be able to defend a motion for contempt by arguing that they were unable to comply with the court order or that the order was invalid.

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