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 Washington State, contempt of court is addressed under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 7.21.010, which defines contempt of court as willful disobedience of court orders, interference with court proceedings, or any act that is disrespectful to the court. The state distinguishes between civil contempt and criminal contempt. Civil contempt is typically used to compel compliance with a court order, such as paying child support or following custody arrangements, and may involve fines or other penalties until compliance is achieved. Criminal contempt, on the other hand, involves actions that obstruct the administration of justice or are directly disrespectful to the court, and can result in fines and jail time. The specific penalties for contempt of court can vary based on the severity of the offense and the discretion of the court.