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criminal contempt

Defined in 3 dictionaries — Case Law, Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916)

Definitions from Case Law

From 391 U.S. 194 - Bloom v. Illinois · 1968Most cited · 2,231 citing opinions

Criminal contempt is a crime in the ordinary sense; it is a violation of the law, a public wrong which is punishable by fine or imprisonment or both

Show all 8 Supreme Court definitions and how they changed over time 1914–1972

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

Acts in disrespect of the court or its process, or tending to bring it into disrepute, or obstruct the administration of justice. 153 111. 647. A criminal contempt embraces all acts committed against the majesty of the law or the dignity of the court. 114 111. App. 326.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

Any act against the majesty of the law or the courts as an agency of the government, and in which the public are concerned. See 177 Mo. 205, 99 Am. St. Rep. 624, 76 S. W. 79; also 135 Am. St. Rep. 272, note.