Main Entry: con·tempt
Pronunciation: \kən-ˈtem(p)t\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin contemptus, from contemnere
Date: 14th century
1 a : the act of despising : the state of mind of one who despises : disdain b : lack of respect or reverence for something
2 : the state of being despised
3 : willful disobedience to or open disrespect of a court, judge, or legislative body <contempt of court>
Pretty much, if you disrespect or piss off a Judge, in their own courtroom for ANY reason. You can be held in contempt.
This applies to Plaintiff, Defendant, Counselors, Bailiff, Jury Members, family members, folks in the gallery, a fly on the wall, or a mouse in the corner.
Anyone within the four walls of the courtroom is expected to act and dress with a reasonable expectation of decorum.
Period.
There is no "degree" of contempt.
If you piss off the judge, you are finished.
1st amendment rights end at the threshold of the door in a courtroom, and the procedures of the law take over. It is not a forum for demonstrating one's political views, personal preferences, or to make a statement of preference.
The courtroom is a place of fact finding, display of evidence, and decision making about what laws, if any, have been broken.
It is a place where you speak only when spoken to , and you convey an air of respect for the members of the court.
One gets a Judge pissed-off in their own courtroom at one's own peril and is subject to whatever decision the Judge feels like making.
