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 Oregon, contempt of court is addressed under ORS 33.015 to 33.155, which defines contempt as behavior that disobeys or shows disrespect towards the court's authority. This can include failing to follow court orders, disrupting court proceedings, or any act that hinders the court's ability to administer justice. Contempt can be categorized as either remedial (civil) or punitive (criminal). Remedial contempt aims to compel compliance with court orders and can result in fines or other penalties until the contempt is cured. Punitive contempt is intended to punish past behavior that has defied the court's authority, and can lead to fines, imprisonment, or both. The specific consequences for contempt of court in Oregon depend on the nature of the contemptuous act and the discretion of the court.