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 Connecticut, contempt of court is an act that defies, disrespects, or disobeys the authority, justice, or dignity of the court. There are two types of contempt: civil and criminal. Civil contempt often involves failure to comply with a court order, such as not paying child support or not adhering to a custody arrangement, and is used to compel a party to comply with the court's order. The court can impose fines or other penalties until the party complies. Criminal contempt involves behavior that obstructs the administration of justice or is directly disrespectful to the court, such as disrupting court proceedings or not following procedural orders. Criminal contempt can result in fines and incarceration. The specific statutes governing contempt of court in Connecticut can be found in the Connecticut General Statutes, and the penalties for contempt can vary based on the nature of the contemptuous act and the discretion of the court.