Legal Definitions - contempt proceeding

A contempt proceeding is a legal hearing conducted to determine whether a person has committed contempt. Contempt refers to any behavior that disobeys or disregards a court order or undermines the authority of the court.

For example, if a person refuses to comply with a court order to pay child support, they may be held in contempt of court. In a contempt proceeding, the court will hear evidence and determine whether the person is guilty of contempt. If found guilty, the person may face penalties such as fines or even imprisonment.

Another example of contempt is if a person disrupts court proceedings by shouting or refusing to follow the judge's instructions. In this case, the judge may hold the person in contempt and order them to be removed from the courtroom.

Overall, a contempt proceeding is a legal tool used to enforce the authority of the court and ensure that court orders are followed.