A Surge in Contempt of Court Citations

Recent data from various jurisdictions across the country reveals a troubling trend: a significant increase in contempt of court citations. This isn’t simply a matter of a few isolated incidents; we’re seeing a notable uptick across different types of courts and concerning a wide range of offenses. While the reasons behind this rise are complex and multifaceted, legal experts point to several contributing factors, including increased polarization, a growing distrust in the judicial system, and the lingering effects of the pandemic on court operations.

Failure to Appear: A Leading Contributor

One of the