1. Power of the Court. The court has the power to punish any contempt in order to protect the rights of the parties and the interests of the public by assuring that the administration of justice shall not be thwarted. The trial judge has the power to cite and if necessary punish summarily anyone who, in his presence in open court, willfully obstructs the court or judicial proceedings after an opportunity to be heard has been afforded.
Rule 20.Direct Contempt
Rules for District Courts of Oklahoma · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceSets standards for a trial judge's contempt power over courtroom misconduct — favoring warnings before sanctions, requiring notice and a chance to be heard, allowing deferred punishment until after trial, and requiring referral to another judge when the judge's own objectivity is in question.
Full Text of Rule 20
2. Admonition and Warning. No sanction other than censure should be imposed by the trial judge unless (i) it is clear from the identity of the offender and the character of his acts that disruptive conduct was willfully contemptuous, or (ii) the conduct warranting the sanction was preceded by a clear warning that the conduct is impermissible and that specified sanctions may be imposed for its repetition.
3. Notice of Intent to Use Contempt Power; Postponement of Adjudication.
(a) The trial judge should, as soon as practicable after he is satisfied that courtroom misconduct requires contempt proceedings, inform the alleged offender of his intention to institute such proceedings.
(b) The trial judge should consider the advisability of deferring adjudication of contempt for courtroom misconduct of a defendant, an attorney or a witness until after the trial, and should defer such a proceeding unless prompt punishment is imperative.
4. Notice of Charges and Opportunity to Be Heard. Before imposing any punishment for contempt, the judge should give the offender notice of the charges and at least a summary opportunity to adduce evidence or argument relevant to guilt or punishment.
5. Referral To Another Judge. The judge before whom courtroom misconduct occurs may impose appropriate sanctions, including punishment for contempt, but should refer the matter to another judge, if his conduct was so integrated with the contempt that he contributed to it or was otherwise involved, or his objectivity can reasonably be questioned.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 20 lets a trial judge punish contempt to protect the parties and keep proceedings from being thwarted, including summary punishment for someone who willfully obstructs the court in open court, after a chance to be heard. But no sanction beyond censure should be imposed unless the offender's conduct was clearly willful given who they are and what they did, or the conduct followed a clear warning that repeating it could bring sanctions.
The judge should tell the alleged offender of an intent to pursue contempt proceedings as soon as practicable, and should consider deferring adjudication of courtroom misconduct by a defendant, attorney, or witness until after trial, unless prompt punishment cannot wait. Before imposing punishment, the judge must give notice of the charges and at least a summary chance to respond. And the judge before whom the misconduct happened should refer the matter to another judge if his own conduct was tied up in the contempt or his objectivity can reasonably be questioned. Rule 29 supplies the companion right-to-counsel protections when a contempt proceeding could lead to incarceration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a judge punish me for contempt on the spot, in open court?
Yes, if you willfully obstruct the court or judicial proceedings in the judge's presence, but Rule 20 requires the judge to give you an opportunity to be heard first.
Will the judge warn me before imposing a serious sanction?
Rule 20 says no sanction beyond censure should be imposed unless your conduct was clearly willful given who you are and what you did, or you had already received a clear warning that repeating the conduct could bring sanctions.
Can the judge wait until after my trial to decide on a contempt charge against me?
Often yes. Rule 20 tells the judge to consider deferring adjudication of courtroom misconduct until after trial, unless prompt punishment cannot wait.
What if the judge handling my case was personally involved in the alleged contempt?
Rule 20 requires the judge to refer the matter to another judge if his own conduct was tied up in the contempt or his objectivity could reasonably be questioned.
Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
Rules for District Courts of Oklahoma, promulgated by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma
as an appendix to Chapter 2 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Last verified August 3, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: oklahoma direct contempt rulecontempt of court oklahoma district courtrule 20 rules for district courts