Misbehavior or misconduct in the court’s presence causing an obstruction to the orderly administration of justice shall be summary criminal contempt, and may be summarily adjudicated and punished by fine or imprisonment, or both. Prior to any finding of guilt, the judicial authority shall inform the defendant of the charges against him or her and inquire as to whether the defendant has any cause to show why he or she should not be adjudged guilty of summary criminal contempt by presenting evidence of acquitting or mitigating circumstances. Upon an adjudication, the judicial authority shall immediately impose sentence of not more than $100, or six months imprisonment, or both for each contumacious act. Execution of any sentence during the pendency of a trial or hearing may be deferred to the close of proceedings.
Section 1-16.—Summary Criminal Contempt
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule defines summary criminal contempt as misbehavior in the court's presence that obstructs justice, letting a judge immediately fine the offender up to $100, imprison them up to six months, or both, per contumacious act, after giving the person a chance to explain.
Full Text of Section 1-16
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 988.) (Amended June 28, 1999, to take effect Jan. 1, 2000.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 1-16 defines summary criminal contempt as misbehavior or misconduct in the court's presence that causes an obstruction to the orderly administration of justice. This kind of contempt may be adjudicated and punished summarily, meaning on the spot.
Before finding someone guilty, the judicial authority must inform the defendant of the charges and ask whether the defendant has any cause to show — by presenting evidence of acquitting or mitigating circumstances — why he or she should not be adjudged guilty.
Once the judicial authority adjudicates the contempt, it must immediately impose a sentence of not more than $100, or six months imprisonment, or both, for each contumacious act. The judicial authority may defer execution of the sentence, during the pendency of a trial or hearing, until the close of proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is summary criminal contempt in Connecticut?
It is misbehavior or misconduct in the court’s presence that obstructs the orderly administration of justice, which the judicial authority may adjudicate and punish on the spot under Section 1-16.
What is the maximum fine or jail time for summary criminal contempt in Connecticut?
The judicial authority may impose a sentence of not more than $100, or six months imprisonment, or both, for each contumacious act.
Does a judge have to warn someone before finding them in summary criminal contempt?
Yes. The judicial authority must inform the defendant of the charges and ask whether the defendant has cause to show — through evidence of acquitting or mitigating circumstances — why he or she should not be found guilty.
Can a Connecticut judge delay punishing summary criminal contempt until later in the trial?
Yes. Execution of the sentence may be deferred to the close of proceedings if the contempt occurs during the pendency of a trial or hearing.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 1-16). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: summary criminal contempt fine connecticutcontempt of court punishment connecticutsix months imprisonment contempt ctwhat is a contumacious actct practice book 1-16