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 Mexico, contempt of court is an act that defies, disrespects, or insults the authority or dignity of a court. It can occur in a civil or criminal context. Civil contempt often involves failure to comply with a court order, such as not paying child support or not following a custody arrangement, and is typically remedied by the party fulfilling the court's order. Criminal contempt involves behavior that obstructs the administration of justice or is directly disrespectful to the court, such as outbursts during proceedings or failure to appear when summoned. Penalties for contempt of court in New Mexico can include fines, compensatory or coercive sanctions, and/or imprisonment, depending on the severity and nature of the contemptuous act. The specific statutes governing contempt proceedings in New Mexico can be found in the New Mexico Statutes Annotated (NMSA) and are enforced by the state's judiciary.