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 North Carolina, contempt of court is addressed under the North Carolina General Statutes, specifically in Chapter 5A, Contempt. The statutes distinguish between civil contempt and criminal contempt. Civil contempt is used to compel compliance with a court order, such as when an individual fails to pay child support or comply with custody arrangements. The purpose of civil contempt is remedial, and sanctions are typically designed to enforce obedience to a court order. Criminal contempt, on the other hand, punishes behaviors that disrespect or disregard the court's authority, such as disrupting court proceedings or failing to follow procedural orders. Punishments for criminal contempt can include fines, imprisonment, or both. The specific consequences for contempt of court in North Carolina depend on the nature of the contemptuous act and the discretion of the court.