Idaho Code
Idaho Code § 7-601 (2026)
Contempts defined.
✓ current as of May 2026
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Contempts defined.
The following acts or omissions in respect to a court of justice, or proceedings therein, are contempts of the authority of the court:
1. Disorderly, contemptuous or insolent behavior toward the judge while holding the court, tending to interrupt the due course of a trial or other judicial proceedings.
2. A breach of the peace, boisterous conduct, or violent disturbance tending to interrupt the due course of a trial or other judicial proceedings.
3. Misbehavior in office or other willful neglect or violation of duty by an attorney, counsel, clerk, sheriff, coroner or other person appointed or elected to perform a judicial or ministerial service.
4. Deceit or abuse of the process or proceedings of the court by a party to an action or special proceeding.
5. Disobedience of any lawful judgment, order or process of the court.
6. Assuming to be an officer, attorney, counsel of a court, and acting as such without authority.
7. Rescuing any person or property in the custody of an officer by virtue of an order or process of such court.
8. Unlawfully detaining a witness or party to an action while going to, remaining at, or returning from, the court where the action is on the calendar for trial.
9. Any other unlawful interference with the process or proceedings of a court.
10. Disobedience of a subpoena duly served, or refusing to be sworn or answer as a witness.
11. When summoned as a juror in a court, neglecting to attend or serve as such, or improperly conversing with a party to an action to be tried at such court, or with any other person in relation to the merits of such action, or receiving a communication from a party or other person in respect to it, without immediately disclosing the same to the court.
12. Disobedience, by an inferior tribunal, magistrate or officer of the lawful judgment, order or process of a superior court, or proceeding in an action or special proceeding contrary to law, after such action or special proceeding is removed from the jurisdiction of such inferior tribunal, magistrate or officer. Disobedience of the lawful orders or process of a judicial officer is also a contempt of the authority of such officer.
13. Failure to provide notice required under chapter 16, title 7, Idaho Code.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 28
cases (9 in the last 5 years), 1954–2026 · leading case: Ross v. Coleman Co., Inc., 761 P.2d 1169 (Idaho 1988).
Ross v. Coleman Co., Inc., 761 P.2d 1169 (Idaho 1988). “54(d) and 54(e), and I.C. § 7-601. Ross also moved for a new trial under I.”
Watson v. Weick, 127 P.3d 178 (Idaho 2005). “Willfulness As a preliminary matter, Judge Mitchell found that Weick’s failure to attend the May 13 debtor’s exam was a willful violation of Idaho Code § 7-601 (5). 2 Although he now argues that he was not required to find that Weick willfully violated this section, this Court…”
Marks v. Vehlow, 671 P.2d 473 (Idaho 1983). “§ 1-1901], a judicial officer may punish for contempt, in the cases provided in this code," and I.C. § 7-601 provides that "[t]he following acts or omissions in respect to a court of justice, or proceedings therein, are contempts of the authority of the court: .”
Abell v. Abell, 534 P.3d 957 (Idaho 2023). “For example, if an unconditional (criminal) sanction is ultimately imposed, there must be a finding of willful contempt “proved beyond a reasonable doubt” when the alleged contempt is “[d]isobedience of any lawful judgment, order or process of the court.”
Pottenger v. Charlton, 530 P.3d 701 (Idaho 2023). “I.C. § 7-601. “Civil contempt is appropriate only when a party fails to comply with a court order that is both specific and definite.”
Matter of Williams, 817 P.2d 139 (Idaho 1991). “The action taken by Judge Towles was to order the prosecuting attorney of the county to initiate contempt proceedings under the provisions of I.C. § 7-601(3), (9). The prosecutor did so.”
First Sec. Bank of Idaho, Na v. Hansen, 690 P.2d 927 (Idaho 1984). “The trial court, in its August 1, 1983 Memorandum Opinion, gave extensive treatment to its finding that the defendants were guilty of contempt under I.C. § 7-601. The trial court based its contempt finding on I.”
Sharon Wechsler v. Norman J. Wechsler, 407 P.3d 214 (Idaho 2017). “Idaho Code section 7-601 defines contempt as “disobedience of any lawful judgment, order or process of the court.”
State Ex Rel. Evans v. Click, 631 P.2d 614 (Idaho 1981). “The argument notes that I.C. § 7-601(5) makes the violation of a lawful order of the court a contempt; they argue that the injunction violated by the appellant here was not such a “lawful order” since it itself violated the preemption clause, was negated by the 1977 amendment,…”
Bandelin v. Quinlan, 499 P.2d 557 (Idaho 1972). “Bandelin * * * [is a] licensed and practicing [attorney] of the State of Idaho and did * * * interfere with and obstruct the purposes of the proceedings of the Court which constitutes contempt of the authority of the Court as defined in Idaho Code 7-601.” Judge Towles…”
Muthersbaugh v. Neumann, 991 P.2d 865 (Idaho Ct. App. 1999). “She directs this Court to her application for the OTSC, which specifically stated that it was based on “I.C. § 7-601 et. seq.” She also asserts that there was evidence at the show cause hearing that Neumann was aware that jail was a possible sanction in support of her claim that…”
State v. Abracadabra Bail Bonds, 952 P.2d 1249 (Idaho Ct. App. 1998). “”); I.C. §§ 7-601 to -614 (Contempts). The contempt power, however, is generally not available for the enforcement of contracts between parties and money judgments.”
— Idaho Code § 7-601(3) — 3 cases
Matter of Williams, 817 P.2d 139 (Idaho 1991). “The action taken by Judge Towles was to order the prosecuting attorney of the county to initiate contempt proceedings under the provisions of I.C. § 7-601(3), (9). The prosecutor did so.”
Bandelin v. Quinlan, 499 P.2d 557 (Idaho 1972). “Bandelin * * * [is a] licensed and practicing [attorney] of the State of Idaho and did * * * interfere with and obstruct the purposes of the proceedings of the Court which constitutes contempt of the authority of the Court as defined in Idaho Code 7-601.” Judge Towles…”
State v. Lutz (Idaho 2026).
— Idaho Code § 7-601(4) — 1 case
State v. Lutz (Idaho 2026).
— Idaho Code § 7-601(5) — 16 cases
Ross v. Coleman Co., Inc., 761 P.2d 1169 (Idaho 1988). “54(d) and 54(e), and I.C. § 7-601. Ross also moved for a new trial under I.”
Abell v. Abell, 534 P.3d 957 (Idaho 2023). “For example, if an unconditional (criminal) sanction is ultimately imposed, there must be a finding of willful contempt “proved beyond a reasonable doubt” when the alleged contempt is “[d]isobedience of any lawful judgment, order or process of the court.”
Watson v. Weick, 127 P.3d 178 (Idaho 2005). “Willfulness As a preliminary matter, Judge Mitchell found that Weick’s failure to attend the May 13 debtor’s exam was a willful violation of Idaho Code § 7-601 (5). 2 Although he now argues that he was not required to find that Weick willfully violated this section, this Court…”
State Ex Rel. Evans v. Click, 631 P.2d 614 (Idaho 1981). “The argument notes that I.C. § 7-601(5) makes the violation of a lawful order of the court a contempt; they argue that the injunction violated by the appellant here was not such a “lawful order” since it itself violated the preemption clause, was negated by the 1977 amendment,…”
Pottenger v. Charlton, 530 P.3d 701 (Idaho 2023). “I.C. § 7-601. “Civil contempt is appropriate only when a party fails to comply with a court order that is both specific and definite.”
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