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 New Hampshire, 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 often involves failure to comply with a court order, and its purpose is to compel a party to comply with the court's directive. The penalty for civil contempt is typically coercive and remedial, such as fines or daily penalties, and it ends when the party complies with the court order. Criminal contempt, on the other hand, is an act that obstructs the administration of justice or is a direct insult to the court, such as disrupting court proceedings or not paying court-ordered child support. The punishment for criminal contempt is punitive, meaning it is intended to punish the offending party and can include fines, imprisonment, or both. The specific procedures and penalties for contempt of court in New Hampshire are governed by state statutes and case law, and the severity of the punishment typically depends on the nature of the contemptuous act and its impact on the court proceedings.