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We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
Criminal contempt of court is a serious offense in Missouri. It is often misunderstood as a procedural issue or a warning-level violation. It is not.
Criminal contempt is quasi-criminal, meaning it carries real penalties, including jail time. These cases arise when a court believes its authority has been disobeyed, ignored, or challenged. Judges take contempt personally, and the consequences can escalate quickly.
Never assume contempt is minor. Never handle it alone.
Criminal contempt cases are different from ordinary criminal charges. The court itself is often the complaining party. The judge controls the courtroom, the procedure, and in many cases the sanctions.
Attorney Thomas Kissell defends individuals accused of criminal contempt and understands how these cases intersect with:
How contempt is handled often determines whether a situation resolves quietly or results in incarceration.
Criminal contempt occurs when a person is alleged to have willfully disobeyed or resisted a lawful order of the court.
Unlike civil contempt, which is designed to force compliance, criminal contempt is designed to punish past conduct.
Criminal contempt commonly arises from:
Intent matters. The court must believe the conduct was knowing and willful.
Missouri courts derive contempt authority from Chapter 476 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, as well as the court’s inherent power to enforce its orders.
Criminal contempt is not always charged like a traditional criminal case, but the consequences are very real and punitive in nature.
Because contempt is quasi-criminal, defendants are entitled to fundamental protections, including notice and an opportunity to be heard.
Many people assume contempt is simply another criminal charge. It is not.
Key differences include:
This is why contempt proceedings are dangerous without counsel.
Criminal contempt charges often arise from:
What seems minor to a defendant is often viewed very differently by the court.
Penalties for criminal contempt vary based on the conduct and the court involved.
Possible consequences include:
Because contempt is punitive, courts are not required to give repeated warnings before imposing sanctions.
Criminal contempt is commonly used to enforce:
In many cases, an alleged violation of an order of protection results in both a new criminal charge and a criminal contempt proceeding.
These cases rarely exist in isolation.
Statements made to the court or law enforcement after alleged contempt are often the strongest evidence against you.
Attempting to explain:
Almost always makes the situation worse.
Silence and strategy matter.
Effective defense focuses on the order itself, the alleged conduct, and the required intent.
Defense strategies may include:
Early involvement is critical.
Criminal contempt cases escalate because:
What begins as a misunderstanding can quickly turn into jail time.