Springfield Contempt Attorney
If you’re involved in a family law case in Springfield, chances are that you’re not thinking much about contempt of court – a charge that can be both civil and criminal in our state. But if you aren’t following the court’s orders, then being held in contempt of court is a consequence you could surely face. At the office of Courtney & Mills, LLC, our Springfield contempt attorneys can help you to avoid a contempt of court charge, as well as represent you if you’re facing contempt of court. Call our law firm directly today to learn more.
What Is Contempt of Court?
Contempt of court is a type of criminal charge that is issued against a person when they:
- Willfully disobey a process or order that’s lawfully issued;
- Breach the peace or cause noise or another disturbance during court proceedings;
- Engage in disorderly, contemptuous, or insolent behavior during a court session; or
- Disobediently and unlawfully refusing to be sworn in as a witness or, after being sworn in, refusing to answer questions.
What Activities Can Lead to Being Held in Contempt of Court?
In addition to the above, types of activities that relate to a family law case that may result in a contempt of court charge include things such as failing to follow a child support order, disregarding a court-ordered parenting plan, or failing to follow any other element of a court order, such as family to pay spousal support or divide properly according to the terms of the order.
What Are the Penalties for Contempt of Court?
If a person commits contempt of court, they could face immediate consequences, including being arrested on the spot when contempt of court is committed in the presence of the court. In addition to arrest, a fine will likely be assessed against the offending party.
What’s more, depending on the cause of contempt of court, penalties may be designed that fit the crime, so to speak. For example, if a parent is held in contempt of court for failing to adhere to a court-ordered parenting plan, they may face a large fine and other types of penalties, such as having to attend counseling, additional ordered visitation with the child, and more.
Being held in contempt of court is something you certainly want to avoid. The best way to do this is to always be respectful in the courtroom, show up for your court dates, and always adhere to a court’s orders.
Work with a Springfield Family Law Attorney Now
If you are involved in a family law case–or any other type of criminal or civil suit–and you are held in contempt of court, you need a Springfield attorney on your side. At the law office of Courtney & Mills, LLC, our experienced Springfield family law attorneys know that you need qualified representation, and we are here to help. Please call our lawyers directly today to learn more about how we can help.
