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 Maine, contempt of court is an act that defies, disrespects, or disobeys a court's authority, orders, or directives. Maine law recognizes two types of contempt: civil and criminal. Civil contempt is typically used to compel someone to comply with a court order, such as paying child support or alimony, and may result in fines or other penalties until compliance is achieved. Criminal contempt, on the other hand, involves actions that obstruct the administration of justice or are directly disrespectful to the court, such as failing to appear when summoned, disrupting court proceedings, or not following procedural orders. Criminal contempt can result in fines, jail time, or both, depending on the severity of the offense. The specific procedures and penalties for contempt are outlined in the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure and the Maine Revised Statutes. Judges have considerable discretion in determining what constitutes contempt and the appropriate punishment.