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 York, contempt of court is addressed under the Judiciary Law and the Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR). Contempt of court can be either civil or criminal. Civil contempt generally occurs when someone fails to comply with a court order, and the purpose of the sanction is to compel compliance with the order or to compensate for losses or damages caused by noncompliance. Criminal contempt involves behavior that disrespects the court or obstructs the administration of justice, and the sanctions aim to punish the offender and uphold the court's authority. Penalties for contempt of court in New York can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the contempt and whether it is civil or criminal. The specific procedures and penalties are detailed in the state statutes, and the court has discretion within the bounds of the law to determine the appropriate punishment for contemptuous actions.