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 Delaware, contempt of court is an act that defies, disrespects, or insults the authority or dignity of a court. There are two main types of contempt: civil and criminal. Civil contempt often involves failure to comply with a court order, and the aim of the sanction is to compel compliance. The penalties for civil contempt may include fines or other remedies until the individual complies with the court order. Criminal contempt, on the other hand, punishes behavior that obstructs the administration of justice or that is disrespectful to the court, such as disrupting court proceedings or not following procedural orders. The punishment for criminal contempt can include fines, imprisonment, or both. The specific statutes governing contempt of court in Delaware can be found in the Delaware Code, and the procedures and penalties can vary depending on whether the contempt is considered civil or criminal.