Contempt Proceedings

Criminal contempt charges can either be direct or indirect. Direct contempt occurs when a person acts disruptively in a courtroom and the judge uses his or her authority to summarily declare that person to be in contempt of court. No criminal trial is needed for such a charge.

Indirect criminal contempt is a charge brought against an individual who has willfully violated a court order.

Civil contempt may be brought for the purpose of seeking damages due to a violation of a court order or to compel an individual to comply with a court order.

Violations of a court order in both criminal and civil contempt cases can include:

• Failure to pay child support
• Failure to follow a restraining order
• Denial of child visitation
• Skipping jury duty

Ms. Schinske represents clients with any civil or criminal contempt of court cases, protecting their rights and helping them work through complicated legal issues in order to avoid imprisonment, fines, sanctions, or other consequences of contempt of court.