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Simple English definitions for legal terms
contempt of court, indirect
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A quick definition of contempt of court, indirect:
Indirect contempt of court is when someone breaks a court order outside of the courtroom. This can be either civil or criminal and is also called constructive contempt of court. Examples of indirect contempt include not showing up to a hearing, breaking probation rules, or not giving evidence when asked. If someone is found guilty of indirect contempt, they may have to pay a fine or even go to jail. However, if they follow the court order, they can avoid these penalties. Direct contempt of court is when someone breaks a court order in front of the judge.
A more thorough explanation:
Indirect contempt of court is when someone violates a court order outside of the courtroom. This can be either civil or criminal and is also called constructive contempt of court.
Examples of indirect contempt of court include:
- Not showing up to a court hearing
- Breaking the terms of probation
- Refusing to give evidence that was requested by a subpoena
If someone is found guilty of indirect contempt of court, they may face fines or even jail time. However, if the contempt is civil in nature, the penalties can be avoided by simply following the court order.
Indirect contempt of court is different from direct contempt of court, which is when someone violates a court order in the presence of the court.
For example, if a person is ordered by a judge to attend a hearing but fails to show up, they could be found guilty of indirect contempt of court. Another example would be if someone is ordered to turn over evidence but refuses to do so, they could also be found guilty of indirect contempt of court.
These examples illustrate how someone can be found guilty of indirect contempt of court for violating a court order outside of the courtroom.