Legal Definitions - contumacy

Contumacy is when someone refuses to appear in court after being legally summoned or refuses to follow a court order. This behavior can result in the judge finding the individual in contempt of court.

For example, if a person is summoned to appear in court as a witness but fails to show up, they could be found guilty of contumacy. Similarly, if a person is ordered by a judge to pay a fine but refuses to do so, they could also be found guilty of contumacy.

When someone is found guilty of contumacy, the judge has the power to punish them with fines or even jail time. This is because courts have implied powers, which means they have the authority to punish individuals who refuse to comply with court orders.