Understanding Legal Concepts: Is Contempt of Court a Felony in Florida?
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Legal literacy allows students to make informed decisions as responsible citizens or act as ethical leaders in our ever-changing world. This is why aspiring professionals and learners, specifically those pursuing higher degrees, benefit from studying law vis-a-vis subjects related to the technical and scientific fields. Brilliant PU (Pre-University) College in Bengaluru, India has a dedicated law department that teaches its students the most appropriate legal action considering the facts and the law along with the use of various legal research tools in the field of science. Graduates enrolled in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) courses can apply their understanding of evidence rules and admissibility to analyze and summarize information on various issues, with the aim to engage and create action plans especially in the field of discovery and admissibility. Today’s professional lawyers work in a broad range of fields, from private to corporate, environmental to international law and beyond. Exposure to key legal concepts gives students the chance to pursue diverse fields, such as law, finance, real estate, and other business-related areas, while also providing the foundational knowledge required for various professional certifications. It’s not uncommon for evolution in the legal system to mirror technological change. Let’s explore an example. We’ve all seen a courtroom drama where witnesses testify against an accused and give their opinion about the defendant’s alleged actions. Here, both the accused and the witnesses are acting in direct contradiction to one another. Such a scenario might give rise to charges of contempt of court. Contempt of court is defined as any action that shows disrespect to the law, judge, or legal process of the court. The history of the term is that “con” means “with” and “temptus” means “contempt.” In the Anglo-American law, contempt of court is generally divided into two categories: civil contempt (which encourages compliance with court orders) and criminal contempt (which punishes past acts of disobedience). However, there are some cases when things get more complicated. An example is harsh punishment for a witness who refuses to testify or produce evidence. In this case, the contempt would not be civil in nature but criminal instead. In the United States, a criminal contempt could be a class B or class C misdemeanor. Florida law specifies that contempt of court does not constitute a felony but a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to $1,000. However, if the contempt relates to a child custody order, contempt may be reclassified as a third degree felony, punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and five years of probation. A third degree felony may also be punishable by a fine of $5,000. With all that in mind, what can this do for you? Now that we have a basic understanding of contempt of court, let’s consider a recent article on whether contempt of court is a felony in Florida by Virginia Arguello published on Sirens of Suspense: “In criminal law, contempt of court refers to words or actions that show disrespect to the court, judge, or legal process. It’s designed to protect the authority and purpose of the law, and it ensures that court orders are followed and complied with. In most jurisdictions, contempt of court or indirect criminal contempt is treated as a first degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail or prison. However, section 541.15 of the Florida Criminal Code (Fla. Stat. § 541.15, 2018) specifies that contempt of court is a first degree misdemeanor, but it’s not a felony. If a contempt of court case involves violating a child custody order, it could be charged as a third degree felony. This is in accordance with section 585.13 of the Florida Criminal Code (Fla. Stat. § 585.13, 2018). Essentially, the same statute is both civil and criminal contempt, but for certain violators, contempt of court can be elevated.” Why do we explore this? Brilliant PU College allows aspiring professionals in general and those aiming for careers in law, finance, real estate, and other business-related areas to explore their various interests while working toward their goals. For those who intend to become lawyers, the study of law is crucial to enable them to advocate as representatives for clients and clients’ interests. By act or omission, knowledge of civil, criminal, and business laws could be life-changing to individuals in the pursuit of higher degrees and beyond.