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 West Virginia, 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 the purpose of sanctions is to compel compliance. Criminal contempt involves actions that obstruct the administration of justice or that degrade the court's authority, such as disrupting court proceedings or not following procedural orders. Penalties for criminal contempt can include fines and imprisonment. The specific procedures and penalties for contempt are governed by West Virginia state statutes and case law, as well as by rules of the individual courts. Judges have considerable discretion in determining what constitutes contempt and the appropriate punishment.