There is civil contempt and criminal contempt. What most are talking about here is civil contempt. That is not a punishment, but rather a coersive tool. The contempt consequence ends as soon as you comply.
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But if you refuse the matter then enters criminal contempt, which is pardonable.
feb 24, 2025, 11:43 pm • 0 0 • view
It's just a totally different process. Civil contempt can include time in jail; it's just that you can end your own "sentence" by complying. Criminal contempt is a criminal charge so the contemnor gets all their due process rights first.
feb 24, 2025, 11:54 pm • 2 0 • view
presumably a determined judge (and plaintiffs) could keep this going past the time Trump is in office, and with a broadening scope. in the interim it wouldn't offer much solace, but it would force the Trump admin to play the 'openly defy court orders' card that they've been reluctant to play so far.
feb 24, 2025, 11:47 pm • 0 0 • view