Effective - 28 Aug 1939
476.120. Punishment for contempt. — Punishment for contempt may be by fine or imprisonment in the jail of the county where the court may be sitting, or both, in the discretion of the court.
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(RSMo 1939 § 2029)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 1865; 1919 § 2360; 1909 § 3882
(1976) Proceedings to cite defendant for contempt for failure to pay court ordered support and maintenance for plaintiff and their minor children classified as civil contempt and subject to review on appeal. Judgment, with sentence of imprisonment, reversed and remanded since there was no evidence from which trial court could have concluded that defendant was financially able to pay the award. Teefey v. Teefey (Mo.), 533 S.W.2d 563.
(1977) Held, that purpose of contempt citation is to vindicate the authority of the court and deter future defiance by disobedient parties. Chemical Fireproofing Corp. v. Bronska (A.), 533 S.W.2d 710.