Contempt of court is broadly defined as disobedience to or disrespect of a court by acting in opposition to its authority. Contempt of court may be punished by the court with civil penalties (fines) and criminal punishment (confinement in jail).
In Hawaii, contempt of court is addressed under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) and can be categorized into civil contempt or criminal contempt. Civil contempt typically involves failure to comply with a court order, and its primary purpose is to compel compliance with the court's directive. The court may impose fines or other penalties until the individual complies. Criminal contempt, on the other hand, involves actions that disrespect the court or obstruct the administration of justice, such as disrupting court proceedings or not following procedural orders. Criminal contempt can result in fines and/or imprisonment. The specific consequences for contempt of court in Hawaii depend on the severity of the offense and the discretion of the court. It's important to note that due process must be followed, and individuals accused of contempt have the right to an attorney and a hearing in most cases.