18.2-456 - Cases in which courts and judges may punish summarily for contempt. - Virginia Statutes

§ 18.2-456. Cases in which courts and judges may punish summarily forcontempt.

The courts and judges may issue attachments for contempt, and punish themsummarily, only in the cases following:

(1) Misbehavior in the presence of the court, or so near thereto as toobstruct or interrupt the administration of justice;

(2) Violence, or threats of violence, to a judge or officer of the court, orto a juror, witness or party going to, attending or returning from the court,for or in respect of any act or proceeding had or to be had in such court;

(3) Vile, contemptuous or insulting language addressed to or published of ajudge for or in respect of any act or proceeding had, or to be had, in suchcourt, or like language used in his presence and intended for his hearing foror in respect of such act or proceeding;

(4) Misbehavior of an officer of the court in his official character;

(5) Disobedience or resistance of an officer of the court, juror, witness orother person to any lawful process, judgment, decree or order of the court.

(Code 1950, § 18.1-292; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15.)