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Enforcing Protective Orders Through Contempt
Proceedings
Alicia Aiken, LAF
Neha Lall, Life Span
OP’s May be Enforced through Contempt Proceedings
“A violation of any valid Illinois order of protection, whether issued [in] a civil or criminal proceeding, may be enforced through civil or criminal contempt procedures, as appropriate, by any court with jurisdiction, regardless where the act or acts which violated the order of protection were committed.” 750 ILCS 60/223(b)
Requirements for Enforcement
Actual knowledge of the contents of the order. 750 ILCS 60/223(d)
There need not be any physical manifestations of abuse on the person of the victim. 750 ILCS 60/223(f)
Direct v. Indirect Contempt
Direct Contempt: violation occurs in the presence of the court
Indirect Contempt: violation occurs outside of the presence of court
Civil v. Criminal Contempt
Distinction lies in the purpose of Petition:
Civil Contempt: to compel future compliance with a court order
Criminal Contempt: to punish past violation of the order
Civil v. Criminal Contempt
CIVIL CRIMINAL
Purpose: Compel Compliance Punish Noncompliance
Legal Mechanism: Rule to Show Cause Petition for Adjudication of Contempt
Standard of Proof: Preponderance of Evidence
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Right to Counsel: No Yes
Civil v. Criminal Contempt
CIVIL CRIMINAL
5th Amendment Right :
No Yes
Right to Purge Contempt:
Yes No
Sanctions: Imprisonment to compel compliance
FineImprisonment
Indirect Criminal Contempt Proceedings
LSC-Recipients Can Bring Indirect Criminal Contempt Petitions
“Criminal Proceeding” defined as an adversary process prosecuted by a public officer.
If “professional responsibility” requires criminal representation arising out of prior or current rep.
Prohibitions on assistance in criminal proceedings only apply to LSC funds.
45 C.F.R. Sec. 1613
Filing Requirements
File Petition for Adjudication of Indirect Criminal Contempt
Issue new Summons– Unclear if new summons is required– Better practice is to do so, since this is technically a
separate cause
Service of Petition
Body Attachments
IDVA specifically allows for issuance of a body attachment in contempt proceedings if petition sets forth facts evidencing an immediate danger that the respondent will flee the jurisdiction, conceal a child, or inflict physical abuse on the petitioner or minor children.
Bond shall be set unless specifically denied in writing.
750 ILCS 60/223(b)(1)-(2)
Procedural Requirements
5th Amendment Rights Attach– Respondent need not file a Response– Burden may not be shifted to Respondent
Rule to Show Cause NOT appropriate
Appointment of Counsel– Court must appoint counsel for Respondent
if not already represented
Minor v. Serious Criminal Contempt
Minor Contempt: – No Right to Jury Trial– Sanctions must be $500 or less and/or
incarceration of less than 6 months
Serious Contempt:– Right to Jury Trial– Sanctions of more than $500 and/or
incarceration of more than 6 months
Cheff v. Schnackenberg, 384 U.S. 373 (1966).
Hearing
Presumption of Innocence Privilege against self-incrimination Right to introduce evidence on own
behalf Right to present witness Right to public trial Right to be present at trial Right to substitution of judge
Requirements of Contempt Judgment Order
Must be written order signed by judge Must recite jurisdiction Must set forth facts on which the contempt is
based Must contain a clear and unambiguous finding of
contempt Must recite sanctions imposed Certified orders should be served on Respondent
along with a copy given to the warden of the institution along with commitment order
Right to Appeal
Respondent should be advised of right to appeal pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 605(a)
May be appealed as any other criminal case if sanctions have been imposed
Imposition of Sanctions
Contemnor must be given an opportunity to make a statement in allocution prior to sanctions being imposed.
Taylor v. Hayes, 418 U.S. 488 (1974)
Penalties for Violation
IDVA says the following sanctions are appropriate:– Incarceration– Payment of Restitution– Payment of Attorney’s Fees and Costs– Community Service
750 ILCS 60/223(g)
Incarceration
To the extent permitted by law, the court is encouraged to:
(1) Increase penalties for subsequent violations(2) Impose a minimum penalty of 24 hours
imprisonment for respondent’s first violation (3) Impose a minimum penalty of 48 hours
imprisonment for respondent’s second or subsequent violation unless manifestly unjust
750 ILCS 60/223(g)(3)
When is a Contempt Petition a Good Idea?
When the State’s Attorney will not prosecute a violation
Contempt proceeding will not further endanger victim– Respondent will likely not be incarcerated
during proceedings– Not for high lethality cases!
When is a Contempt Petition a Good Idea?
Non-violent violations– Phone calls/text messages– Emails/internet communications– Third Party Contact
Cases where Respondent will be deterred by a Contempt Finding