Contempt Of Court Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Contempt Of Court, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Contempt Of Court?

It is an act of purposely not following an order given by the court.It also means misbehaving with any judge or attorney during a trial and thereby interfering with the proceedings of the court.Contempt of court is punishable either by fines or imprisonment or both.

History and Meaning of Contempt Of Court

Contempt of court refers to any action that shows disrespect or disregard for the authority, orders, or decisions of a court. The origin of the concept of contempt of court dates back to medieval England when royal courts started using contempt powers to maintain order during court proceedings. The idea behind this concept is to ensure that the judicial process is respected and obeyed. It is an essential tool for maintaining the dignity, authority, and effectiveness of the judicial system.

Examples of Contempt Of Court

  1. If a witness refuses to answer a question or comply with an order during a court trial, they can be held in contempt of court.
  2. If a journalist publishes information that violates a court order, he or she can be held in contempt of court.
  3. If someone disobeys an injunction issued by a court, they can be found guilty of contempt of court.

Legal Terms Similar to Contempt Of Court

  1. Perjury - Knowingly making false statements under oath in a judicial proceeding.
  2. Obstruction of justice - Intentionally impeding or tampering with the judicial process.
  3. Subornation of perjury - Encouraging or inducing someone to commit perjury.