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 Oklahoma, contempt of court is addressed under both civil and criminal statutes. Civil contempt typically involves failure to comply with a court order, such as not paying child support or not adhering to a visitation schedule, and is used to compel a party to comply with the court's directive. The court may impose fines or other penalties to enforce compliance. Criminal contempt, on the other hand, involves actions that disrespect the court or obstruct the administration of justice, such as disrupting court proceedings or not following procedural orders. Criminal contempt can result in fines and incarceration. The specific procedures and penalties for contempt are outlined in Oklahoma statutes and case law, and the court has broad discretion in determining what constitutes contempt and how it should be punished.