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 Georgia, contempt of court is an act that disobeys or shows disrespect towards the judicial system, including any actions that oppose the authority of the court. This can encompass behaviors such as failure to comply with court orders, disrupting court proceedings, or any other conduct that undermines the court's ability to administer justice. Georgia law recognizes two types of contempt: civil and criminal. Civil contempt is typically used to compel compliance with a court order, such as paying child support or alimony, and may result in fines or imprisonment until the party complies with the order. Criminal contempt, on the other hand, is punitive and is used to sanction behavior that obstructs the administration of justice or disrespects the court, such as outbursts during a hearing or failure to appear when summoned. Penalties for criminal contempt can include fines, jail time, or both, and are intended to preserve the court's authority rather than to secure compliance with a court order.