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 Wisconsin, contempt of court is addressed under Chapter 785 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Contempt of court can occur in various forms, including but not limited to, willful disobedience of court orders, disruption of court proceedings, or any act that is deemed disrespectful to the court's authority. Wisconsin recognizes both civil 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, is punitive and aims to preserve the court's authority and punish the act of contempt; it can result in fines, imprisonment, or both. The specific consequences for contempt of court in Wisconsin depend on the severity of the offense and the discretion of the court.