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 Florida, contempt of court is an act that defies, disrespects or insults the authority or dignity of a court. There are two types of contempt: civil and criminal. Civil contempt is often used to compel someone to comply with a court order, such as paying child support or alimony, and may result in fines or imprisonment until compliance is achieved. Criminal contempt, on the other hand, punishes behavior that obstructs the administration of justice or that is disrespectful to the court, such as outbursts during proceedings or failure to obey subpoenas. Punishments for criminal contempt can include fines, imprisonment, or both, and must respect the due process rights of the individual. Florida courts have the inherent power to enforce orders and ensure proper court function through contempt proceedings, and the specifics of these proceedings are governed by Florida statutes and case law.