Legal Definitions - civil contempt

Definition: Civil contempt is a type of contempt of court that occurs when someone fails to obey a court order that was issued for another party's benefit. This conduct defies the authority or dignity of a court or legislature and interferes with the administration of justice. Civil contempt proceedings are coercive or remedial in nature, and the usual sanction is to confine the contemnor until he or she complies with the court order. The act complained of must be within the defendant's power to perform, and the contempt order must state how the contempt may be purged. Imprisonment for civil contempt is indefinite and lasts until the defendant complies with the decree.

Example: John was ordered by the court to pay child support to his ex-wife, but he failed to do so. His ex-wife filed a motion for civil contempt, and the court found John in contempt for failing to comply with the court order. The court ordered John to pay the child support he owed and sentenced him to jail until he complied with the order.

Explanation: In this example, John's failure to pay child support defied the authority of the court and interfered with the administration of justice. The court found him in civil contempt and ordered him to comply with the court order by paying the child support he owed. The court also sentenced him to jail until he complied with the order, which is a coercive measure to ensure compliance.