Contempt of Court: What it Means. How it Works. | Lawyers Without Billboards - Ep 36

What does it really mean to be held in contempt of court?In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down one of the most misunderstood parts of family law - contempt.From unpaid child support to denied visitation and even showing up late with the kids, the team explains when a judge might send someone to jail, when a simple fine will do, and how lawyers can defend (or prove) a contempt case.You’ll hear real-world examples, courtroom stories, and practical advice about the difference between civil vs. criminal contempt, hard vs. nebulous contempts, and the kinds of mistakes that drive judges crazy.🕒 Chapters:00:00 – Intro 00:46 – What is Contempt of Court? 02:06 – Civil vs. Criminal Contempt 03:21 – Real-Life Case: Jail for Unpaid Payments 04:55 – Hard, Nebulous & “Bull****” Contempts 07:10 – Attorney’s Fees & Defenses 09:04 – The “Unclean Hands” Argument 12:01 – Willful vs. Accidental Violations 13:18 – Keeping Records & Building Evidence 15:41 – Parenting Time and Denial of Visitation 18:10 – What Judges Really Think of Contempts 21:00 – Interest, Sanctions & Money Judgments 25:10 – Letters, Compliance, and Fixing It Before Court 27:00 – Why Contempt Cases Can Backfire 30:20 – Final Thoughts: Fix It, Don’t Fight It📌 Key Takeaways:Civil contempt seeks compliance — criminal contempt punishes.“Hard” contempts (like unpaid support) are easier to prove than nebulous ones.Judges hate petty contempt cases — bring clear evidence and good faith.The best defense: show effort, ability limits, or unclean hands.Keep a journal of violations to build a solid case later.Lawyers Without Billboards is hosted by Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, and Alexa Lewis, partners at Shewmaker & Lewis — a family law firm based in Atlanta, Georgia.📩 Contact: [email protected]🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards📺 Subscribe for new episodes and candid conversations about family law, custody, and criminal defense.🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA