Important Facts about Contempt of Court
Independent nations have well structures systems that help them to manage the nation properly. Governments collect taxes or sometimes borrow funds in order to manage the affairs of the nation. A case in point of government service providers are the ministries of health, transport, defense, agriculture, finance and commerce.
The government has got three important branches which watch over the actions of each other. This branches are the judiciary, the legislature and the executive. The executive is the chief of government and is run through well-structured independent and interdependent ministries. The role of the ministries is to make policies relating to their ministries, provide services and oversee operations. The legislatures are people’s representatives who are elected into their position. The legislature make laws that help run the federal or state governments. The judiciary on the other hand manage legal matters and interpret the constitution and other legislature which have been passed by the legislative arm.
After legislature have made laws in parliament, the judiciary guards and executes the law. The courts are stationed all over the nation to manage civil and criminal cases. If any person or institution is in doubt of the interpretation of a certain aspects of the law, the courts clarify it. They are able to do this because they are trained on legal matters and are given authority to preside over court case. Once any court gives direction or makes decisions pertaining to any case, their decision must be respected. This is why the law allows any unsatisfied party to appeal on lower court decision in the higher courts, within a stipulated time-frame. The highest court in the land is usually the Supreme Court and their decision is final. If a person or firm has not appealed against the decision made by any lower or higher court, they are expected to abide by the decision of that court. Any intolerance to court decisions is referred to as contempt of court.
No one is exempted from abiding with court decision whether a civilian or a government official. Disregard of any court decision can cause a court to declare that such a person is in contempt. In essence, contempt of court entails ignoring court decision, behaving in a manner that undermines the court decisions or proceedings and by publishing or uttering words that will prejudice court decisions. Once a court reaches the decision that a firm or individual is in disregard of court orders, they are liable to punishment. This can land such a person or persons in jail or they can be slapped with a fine. However, the penalties are outlined in the law. If the person accused of being in contempt defends themselves and convinces the court to change its mind, they can be let off the hook.