Any instruction, decision, or directive made by a judge or a court can be considered a court ruling. Contempt of court is when a judge or court demands that someone take a particular activity or that they refrain from taking a particular action and that demand is not followed.
California considers it a criminal to willfully disobey a court order. Contempt of Court is the charge, which is a serious one. We advise you to call Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 immediately away for a consultation if you are facing this or other criminal charges.
What is the definition of contempt of court under California law?
Contempt of Court is defined and outlined in California Penal Code Section 166. It states that this includes acting in an unruly or disruptive manner while in court, spreading rumors or information that is blatantly false or inaccurate about court proceedings, making loud noises that disturb the peace, refusing to take oaths as witnesses or give testimony, and defying a court order (such as violating a restraining order).
To prove contempt of court, the prosecution will have to put in a lot of effort
The prosecution must demonstrate several things in order to succeed in getting a conviction. They must first establish the legitimacy and legality of the in-question order. Second, they must demonstrate that the person accused of being in contempt of court was aware of and comprehended the order. Finally, they must demonstrate that the subject continued to willfully disregard the court’s order. We can obtain an acquittal if we can show even one of these to be false.
Possible repercussions for contempt of court
If you are accused of criminal contempt, you will probably be prosecuted with a misdemeanor, which has a potential jail sentence of six months and a maximum fine of $1,000. Additionally, three years of unofficial probation may be included.
If you violated a restraining order and have a history of stalking convictions, if you purchased a firearm despite a protective order prohibiting it, or if you otherwise broke the terms of a protective order in a case involving elder abuse or domestic violence, you may be charged with aggravated criminal contempt.
Both felonies and misdemeanors may be used to charge these situations. You might spend three years in prison if you are found guilty of felony criminal contempt. The most severe penalty for a misdemeanor conviction is a year in county jail and three years of probation.
An experienced attorney can assist you in defending against these and other charges
It sometimes happens that a charge of contempt of court is accompanied by other charges. You need the assistance of a skilled criminal defense attorney, regardless of how straightforward or complex your case may be. The Chambers Law Firm is where you can find it. Call us at 714-760-4088 right away to schedule your free legal consultation.
