Contempt of court is broadly defined as disobedience to or disrespect of a court by acting in opposition to its authority. Contempt of court may be punished by the court with civil penalties (fines) and criminal punishment (confinement in jail).
In California, contempt of court is addressed under the California Code of Civil Procedure sections 1209 et seq. Contempt of court can be classified as either civil or criminal. Civil contempt is typically an act that may impede the function of the court or disobey a court order, and the purpose of sanctions is to compel compliance with the court's directive. Criminal contempt, on the other hand, involves actions that disrespect the court or obstruct the administration of justice, and the sanctions, which can include fines and jail time, are punitive. The specific penalties for contempt can vary based on the nature of the contemptuous act and the discretion of the court. In both civil and criminal contempt cases, the accused must be afforded due process rights, including the right to notice of the charges and an opportunity to be heard.