Differences Between Civil and Criminal Contempt Explained

In sending the case back to Supreme Court for a hearing on the issue of whether defendant is guilty of civil and/or criminal contempt (re: the violation of a court order), the Second Department explained the differences between the two types of contempt as follows:

“Civil contempt (see Judiciary Law § 753) has as its aim the vindication of a private party to litigation'” …. In order to prevail on a motion to hold a party in contempt, the moving party must demonstrate that the party charged with contempt violated a clear and unequivocal mandate of the court, thereby prejudicing the moving party’s rights … .”It is not necessary that the disobedience be deliberate or willful; rather, the mere act of disobedience, regardless of its motive, is sufficient if such disobedience defeats, impairs, impedes, or prejudices the rights or remedies of a party …. “The burden of proof is on the proponent of the contempt motion, and the contempt must be established by clear and convincing evidence” … .

“[U]nlike a civil contempt proceeding, [in a criminal contempt proceeding,] proof of guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt” …. “The purpose of criminal contempt (see Judiciary Law § 750) is to vindicate the authority of the court. No showing of prejudice to the rights of a party to the litigation is needed since the right of the private parties to the litigation is not the controlling factor'” … .However, “[a]n essential element of criminal contempt is willful disobedience. Knowingly failing to comply with a court order gives rise to an inference of willfulness which may be rebutted with evidence of good cause for noncompliance” … .  Gomes v Gomes, 2013 NY Slip Op 03454, 2nd Dept, 5-15-13