Contempt

A willful disregard or disobedience of a public authority, whether judicial or legislative. Contempts are either (1) civil or (2) criminal. (1) Civil contempts are those quasi contempts which consist in failing to do some-, thing which the contemnor is ordered to do for the benefit of another party to a proceeding before the court; while (2) Criminal contempts are all acts in disrespect of the court or of its process obstructing the administration of justice generally, and tending to bring the court into disrepute.

Rapalje, Contempt, § 21; 11 Fla. 184; 4 Keyes (N. Y.) 46.

Contempts are also classified as (3) Direct contempts, being those committed in the presence of the court or so near as to disturb its proceedings; and (4) Constructive contempts, being those arising from matters not transpiring in court.

Rapalje, Contempt, § 23.