Facing the Consequences: The Impact of Disobeying Court Orders

When you fail to comply with a court order, the repercussions can be severe. If you violate a court order—even if it's a simple appearance requirement—a warrant for your arrest due to contempt may be issued, and you could face legal penalties including jail time, fines, or both, depending on the severity of the case.

Disrespecting the Court

Disobeying a court order is not just a minor offense; it can place you in a precarious situation. Once a person disrespects the courts, they often find themselves in a position of deep regret, which can follow them for a long time.

Judicial Discretion

Every judge, from the lowest trial court to the Supreme Court of the United States, retains the inherent power to punish contempt when their orders are disobeyed. Unless the offender personally refuses to comply in front of the judge, there will first be a notice of contempt and a hearing. The judge will then adjust the penalty based on the behavior. If the contempt is considered criminal, a prosecutor will be appointed, and the defendant will be entitled to the same rights as any other criminal defendant.

The Bench Experience

There is a compelling personal experience that underscores the gravity of ignoring court orders. Once, I was required to attend court as ordered by a judge weekly. During our trial, the judge often dealt with the easier cases first, particularly those involving men jailed for failing to pay child support. These individuals, typically dressed in prison clothes and handcuffed, would be asked if they had paid the delinquent support. If the response was no, they were immediately assessed an additional 30 days in jail. This stringent process ensured that very few offenders failed to receive the message.

Contempt of court can be either civil or criminal. Civil contempt is intended to coerce a person into compliance with a court order, while criminal contempt is a direct affront to the court's authority and can result in jail time. In a case I handled, a former client came to me with a motion to hold him in criminal contempt after he failed to comply with an order. The language of the order was not sufficiently clear, and I argued that it did not support criminal contempt. The judge agreed and advised that a better order would be issued, which was nearly 40 pages long, detailing the required actions. Despite the warning, the client did not comply and was subsequently held in criminal contempt.

In conclusion, the consequences of failing to comply with court orders are significant. Judges will not tolerate disrespect, and it is imperative to adhere strictly to the directives issued by them. The legal system is designed to ensure order and fairness, and ignorance of the law is no excuse when complying with court orders is concerned.