Legal Definitions - indirect contempt

Definition: Indirect contempt is a type of contempt that is committed outside of court, such as when a party disobeys a court order. It is punishable only after proper notice to the contemnor and a hearing.

Example: If a court orders a person to pay child support and the person fails to do so, they may be held in indirect contempt. The court would need to provide notice to the person and hold a hearing before imposing any punishment.

This example illustrates how indirect contempt is different from direct contempt, which is committed in the immediate vicinity of a court, such as when a person assaults a testifying witness. Direct contempt is usually immediately punishable when the transgression occurs.

Indirect contempt is also different from criminal contempt, which is an act that obstructs justice or attacks the integrity of the court and is punished through a criminal proceeding. Indirect contempt is usually remedial in nature and the usual sanction is to confine the contemnor until they comply with the court order.