criminal contempt
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- An act of disrespect that impedes the administration of justice: "Criminal contempt" refers to a willful action that shows disrespect for the authority or dignity of a court, which obstructs or interferes with the judicial process. It is an offense punishable by law.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The judge held the disruptive spectator in criminal contempt for shouting during the trial.
- Refusing to testify after being granted immunity can result in a charge of criminal contempt.
Advanced Usage
"to be held in criminal contempt": to be formally declared by a judge to have committed an act of criminal contempt.
- The witness was held in criminal contempt for repeatedly refusing to answer the prosecutor's questions.
"to charge someone with criminal contempt": to formally accuse someone of the offense.
- The attorney was charged with criminal contempt for violating a gag order.
Variants and Related Words
Contempt of court (n): A broader legal category that includes both civil and criminal contempt. Criminal contempt is a subset of contempt of court.
- His actions constituted a clear contempt of court.
Civil contempt (n): A type of contempt involving disobedience to a court order, typically remedied by compliance.
- Failure to pay court-ordered child support can lead to a finding of civil contempt.
Synonyms
- Obstruction of justice: Interfering with the procedures of a court or law enforcement.
- Disrespect to the court: A general term for behavior that shows a lack of respect for judicial authority.
Related Phrases
- Summary contempt: A finding of contempt (often criminal) made immediately by the judge during proceedings, without a separate, full trial.
- The judge found the defendant in summary contempt for his outburst.
Related Idioms
- To be in contempt: A common shortened form meaning to be found guilty of contempt of court.
- If you don't stop, you will be in contempt.
Noun
- an act of disrespect that impedes the administration of justice