A contempt action is a quasi-criminal matter that is used when one party is not obeying a court order. The purpose of a contempt action is to secure a party's compliance with a court order. Contempt actions can be filed in any family law matter where a court order, temporary or final, has been entered.
The most common type of contempt action filed is to secure the payment of child support. Child support contempt actions are heard on a specialized docket before one Judge in an effort to expedite the process.
Contempt actions can carry a sentence of up to six months in jail as well as various fines and costs. If you believe the opposing party is in violation of your court order, or if you have been accused of violating a court order, it is imperative that you contact an attorney immediately. Our firm has extensive experience in both prosecuting and defending against contempt actions. It is important to hire an attorney that knows the contempt process and how best to proceed with your case.
