Rule 3.928.Contempt of Court
Subchapter 3.900 — Proceedings Involving Juveniles · Last verified September 5, 2026
Full Text of Rule 3.928
Plain-English Summary
MCR 3.928 is the enforcement rule of the juvenile subchapter. It confirms that the court can hold people in contempt, tells the reader where the procedure comes from, sets a jail exposure for the narrow group of juveniles who can face one, and closes the door on jailing a juvenile or a parent for money alone.
Who is exposed, under subrule (A)
The court holds the contempt authority provided by MCL 600.1701 and MCL 712A.26. Subrule (A) then names one group directly: a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a juvenile within the court's jurisdiction who fails to attend a hearing as required is subject to the contempt power as provided in MCL 712A.6a. That sentence exists because juvenile dockets depend on adults showing up, and the rule makes the consequence of an empty chair explicit rather than implied.
Procedure, under subrule (B)
The rule supplies no contempt procedure of its own. Contempt proceedings are governed by MCL 600.1711, MCL 600.1715, and MCR 3.606. One category is carved out and sent elsewhere: MCR 3.982 through MCR 3.989 govern a proceeding against a minor for contempt of a minor personal protection order, so those cases follow the personal protection track rather than the general one.
Contempt by a juvenile, under subrule (C)
Subrule (C) draws a line at age. A juvenile under court jurisdiction who is convicted of criminal contempt of court, and who was at least 18 years of age when the contempt was committed, may be sentenced to as much as 93 days in the county jail as a disposition for that contempt. Juveniles sentenced under this subrule need not be lodged separately and apart from adult prisoners. Younger juveniles found in contempt face a juvenile disposition instead. The rule ties the exposure to age at the time of the conduct, not age at the time of the hearing.
Ability to pay, under subrule (D)
Subrule (D) states a flat prohibition. A juvenile or a parent must not be detained or incarcerated for nonpayment of court-ordered financial obligations unless the court determines two things:
- that the juvenile or parent has the resources to pay, and
- that the person has not made a good-faith effort to do so.
Both findings belong to the court, and both must exist before custody follows an unpaid obligation. Inability to pay is not contempt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a juvenile be sentenced to jail for contempt of court?
Only in the situation subrule (C) describes. A juvenile under court jurisdiction who is convicted of criminal contempt and who was at least 18 years of age when the contempt was committed may receive up to 93 days in the county jail as a disposition for the contempt.
A juvenile who was younger than 18 when the contempt occurred is subject to a juvenile disposition instead.
Can a parent be held in contempt for missing a juvenile hearing?
Yes. Subrule (A) provides that a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a juvenile within the court's jurisdiction who fails to attend a hearing as required is subject to the contempt power as provided in MCL 712A.6a.
Can a juvenile or parent be jailed for not paying fines, costs, or restitution?
Not without findings. Subrule (D) bars detention or incarceration for nonpayment of court-ordered financial obligations unless the court determines that the juvenile or parent has the resources to pay and has not made a good-faith effort to do so.
What procedure applies to a contempt charge in a juvenile case?
Subrule (B) points outside the rule. Contempt proceedings are governed by MCL 600.1711, MCL 600.1715, and MCR 3.606.
Does a juvenile sentenced for contempt have to be held apart from adult prisoners?
Subrule (C) says that juveniles sentenced under that subrule need not be lodged separately and apart from adult prisoners. That statement is limited to juveniles sentenced under subrule (C).