7.21.010 - Definitions. - Washington Statutes

Definitions.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter:

     (1) "Contempt of court" means intentional:

     (a) Disorderly, contemptuous, or insolent behavior toward the judge while holding the court, tending to impair its authority, or to interrupt the due course of a trial or other judicial proceedings;

     (b) Disobedience of any lawful judgment, decree, order, or process of the court;

     (c) Refusal as a witness to appear, be sworn, or, without lawful authority, to answer a question; or

     (d) Refusal, without lawful authority, to produce a record, document, or other object.

     (2) "Punitive sanction" means a sanction imposed to punish a past contempt of court for the purpose of upholding the authority of the court.

     (3) "Remedial sanction" means a sanction imposed for the purpose of coercing performance when the contempt consists of the omission or refusal to perform an act that is yet in the person's power to perform.

[1989 c 373 § 1.]