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 Utah, contempt of court is addressed under Utah Code sections 78B-6-301 to 78B-6-311. Contempt of court can be either civil or criminal, depending on the nature of the contemptuous behavior. Civil contempt typically involves failure to comply with a court order, and the purpose of sanctions is to compel compliance. Criminal contempt involves actions that disrespect the court or obstruct the administration of justice, and the sanctions aim to punish the behavior and uphold the court's authority. Penalties for contempt can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the offense and whether it is civil or criminal contempt. The specific procedures and penalties are outlined in the state statutes, and the court has discretion within the parameters of the law to determine the appropriate sanctions for contemptuous actions.