No person shall continue to be detained in a correctional facility pursuant to an order of civil contempt for longer than thirty days, unless at the expiration of such thirty days such person is presented to the judicial authority. On each such presentment, the contemnor shall be given an opportunity to purge himself or herself of the contempt by compliance with the order of the judicial authority. If the contemnor does not so act, the judicial authority may direct that the contemnor remain in custody under the terms of the order of the judicial authority then in effect, or may modify the order if the interests of justice so dictate.
Section 23-20.Review of Civil Contempt
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceA person held in a correctional facility for civil contempt cannot stay there more than thirty days without being brought back before the judicial authority, who must give the contemnor a chance to purge the contempt.
Full Text of Section 23-20
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 528A.)
Plain-English Summary
This rule limits how long someone can sit in a correctional facility under a civil contempt order. Once thirty days pass, the judicial authority must have the person presented to it again. At that presentment, the contemnor gets a chance to purge the contempt by complying with the underlying order.
If the contemnor still refuses to comply, the judicial authority has options. It can order the contemnor to stay in custody under the existing terms, or it can modify the order when the interests of justice call for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can someone be jailed for civil contempt in Connecticut without a new hearing?
No longer than thirty days. At the end of that period, the judicial authority must have the contemnor presented to it for another look at the case.
What happens at the thirty-day presentment?
The contemnor gets an opportunity to purge the contempt by complying with the judicial authority's order. If they still refuse, the judicial authority can keep them in custody under the current order or modify it.
Can the judicial authority change the contempt order at the review?
Yes. If the interests of justice call for it, the judicial authority may modify the order instead of leaving the contemnor in custody on the same terms.
Does this rule apply to criminal contempt?
No. Section 23-20 addresses only civil contempt, where confinement is meant to coerce compliance rather than punish past conduct.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 23-20). 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
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