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 Kentucky, 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 typically used to compel someone to comply with a court order, and sanctions are imposed to achieve compliance, often involving fines. Criminal contempt, on the other hand, punishes behavior that obstructs the administration of justice or is seen as an affront to the court, such as outbursts in the courtroom or failure to obey a subpoena. Punishments for criminal contempt can include fines, imprisonment, or both. The specific procedures and penalties for contempt are governed by Kentucky statutes and case law, and the court has considerable discretion in determining what constitutes contempt and how it should be punished.