Chapter 5: Common Forms of Contempt of Court

Part I: Statutory and Court Rule Authority for Punishing Certain Contempts

Part II: Contempt in Domestic Relations Cases

Part III: Contempt of Court Involving Extreme Risk Protection Orders

Part IV: Contempt of Court Involving Juveniles

5.1Scope Note

This chapter contains information about common forms of contempt of court. Part I addresses the provisions in MCL 600.1701 as well as some other miscellaneous statutory contempt provisions. Part II addresses contempt in domestic relations cases. Part III addresses finding juveniles in contempt of court. Each section discusses statutory authority and any relevant court rules and caselaw. See also the Michigan Judicial Institute’s table detailing procedures and sanctions for common forms of contempt.

Note that this chapter does not contain an exhaustive description of conduct that is punishable using the court’s contempt powers. Similarly, while this chapter discusses various statutory authority for using the contempt powers, the court does not need specific statutory authority to exercise its inherent authority. See Section 1.3 for a discussion of a court’s inherent authority to cite persons for contempt of court.

Part I: Statutory and Court Rule Authority for Punishing Certain Contempts