• A civil-contempt proceeding is coercive or remedial in nature. The usual sanction is to confine the contemnor until he or she complies with the court order. The act (or failure to act) complained of must be within the defendant’s power to perform, and the contempt order must state how the contempt may be purged. Imprisonment for civil contempt is indefinite and for a term that lasts until the defendant complies with the decree. [Cases: Contempt 4, 20. C.J.S. Contempt §§ 9, 14, 17.]
civil contempt
The failure to obey a court order that was issued for another party’s benefit.