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 Dakota, contempt of court is addressed under North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) sections 27-10-01.1 and 27-10-01.2 for civil contempt, and 12.1-10-01, 12.1-10-02 for criminal contempt. Civil contempt typically involves failure to comply with a court order in civil proceedings and can result in fines or other penalties until compliance is achieved. Criminal contempt involves behavior that disrespects the court or obstructs the administration of justice, such as disrupting court proceedings or disobeying a court order in a way that affects the court's functioning. Criminal contempt can be punished by fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the offense. The specific penalties and procedures are governed by state statutes, and the court has discretion within the limits set by law to enforce its authority and ensure proper respect for its operations.