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 Massachusetts, 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 usually occurs when someone fails to comply with a court order, such as not paying child support or not adhering to a custody arrangement, and is designed to compel compliance with the court's order. Criminal contempt involves behavior that obstructs the administration of justice or that is disrespectful to the court, such as refusing to testify, disrupting court proceedings, or showing disrespect to judges. Penalties for contempt of court in Massachusetts can include fines and/or imprisonment. The specific consequences depend on whether the contempt is civil or criminal, the nature of the contemptuous act, and the discretion of the court.