Motion Of Contempt With Definition
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FAQ
Any court, including a family support magistrate, may punish by fine and imprisonment any person who in its presence behaves contemptuously or in a disorderly manner; but no court or family support magistrate may impose a greater fine than one hundred dollars or a longer term of imprisonment than six months or both.
After filing, the motion must be served to the opposing party, providing them with an opportunity to respond. The court then schedules a hearing where both parties present their arguments. Proving contempt of court requires clear and convincing evidence that the respondent has willfully violated a court order.
Upon responding to a motion for contempt, a defendant may either lodge a defense or he or she may purge the contempt by complying with the court's order and remedying any past due support obligations. The defendant responds by filing an answer. The answer may contain defenses against the contempt action.
The consequences of the motion: A motion to enforce, if approved, inflicts no punishment on the non-compliant party and instead serves as a reminder to fulfill their legal duties. Alternatively, a motion for contempt can result in jail time or fines for not following a verdict.
What are the consequences of being found in contempt? A party found in contempt can be required to pay the other party's attorney fees and sometimes can be jailed for a contempt finding, in addition to being forced to comply with the court orders.