Avoiding Contempt of Court
While being found in contempt of court can make for excellent comic relief on legal dramas, it’s no laughing matter in real life. Since contempt of court is basically anything that can be construed as disrespect toward or disobedience of the presiding judge, it may be easier to find yourself held in contempt than you realize. No matter what type of legal proceeding you’re involved in, it’s always wise to understand when you can be charged with contempt and how you can avoid it.
Contempt of court and child support
Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to follow the judge’s orders regarding child support. This is especially the case when you experience a job loss or other circumstances that make it impossible to meet your current child support obligations. That said, your inability to pay doesn’t have to mean being found in contempt of court.
Perhaps the best way to avoid contempt in this situation is to contact the Department of Child Support Services as soon as you realize that you won’t be able to meet your financial obligation. In some cases, they’ll be able to work out payment arrangements for you. In other situations, it may be necessary to request a modification to your child support order from the court. Either way, being proactive by communicating the situation can go a long way to help you avoid a fine or jail time.
Contempt of court and civil judgments
When you believe the judgment against you is unfounded or unfair, it can be easy to procrastinate on doing what you’ve been ordered to do. Instead, make plans to carry out anything you’ve been ordered to do as soon as possible so that you don’t find yourself in contempt for missing a deadline. It’s also a good idea to contact the judge immediately if you believe you’ll have any issue fulfilling your side of things by the deadline. For instance, you may learn that it’s not possible to cut down a tree on your property as quickly as the judge ordered because of issues with nearby utility lines that you’re working with the companies to remedy.
It’s also common for people to find themselves held in contempt of court after a civil judgment when they don’t fully comply with the judge’s orders. This is often a result of misunderstanding the meaning of the ruling or order itself. The best way to avoid fines and jail time in this situation is to ask your attorney or the judge for clarification on any points that you don’t completely understand.