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La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611 (2026)

Punishment for contempt of court; defenses

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CHAPTER 30. CONTEMPT

§4611. Punishment for contempt of court; defenses

            Except as otherwise provided for by law:

            (1) The supreme court, the courts of appeal, the district courts, family courts, juvenile courts and the city courts may punish a person adjudged guilty of a contempt of court therein, as follows:

            (a) For a direct contempt of court committed by an attorney at law, by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than twenty-four hours, or both; and, for any subsequent contempt of the same court by the same offender, by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than ten days, or both;

            (b) For disobeying or resisting a lawful restraining order, or preliminary or permanent injunction, by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

            (c) For a deliberate refusal to perform an act which is yet within the power of the offender to perform, by imprisonment until he performs the act; and

            (d)(i) For any other contempt of court, including disobeying an order for the payment of child support or spousal support or an order for the right of custody or visitation, by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisonment for not more than three months, or both.

            (ii) In addition to or in lieu of the penalties provided by this Paragraph, the court may order that the person perform litter abatement work or community service in a court-approved program for each day he was to be imprisoned, provided that the total days of jail, litter abatement work, and community service do not exceed the maximum sentence provided by this Paragraph.

            (iii) It is a defense as provided by R.S. 9:311.1 to a charge of contempt of court for failure to comply with a court order of child support if an obligor can prove that he was incarcerated during the period of noncompliance. This defense applies only to the time period of actual incarceration.

            (e) In addition to or in lieu of the above penalties, when a parent has violated a visitation order, the court may order any or all of the following:

            (i) Require one or both parents to allow additional visitation days to replace those denied the noncustodial parent.

            (ii) Require one or both parents to attend a parent education course.

            (iii) Require one or both parents to attend counseling or mediation.

            (iv) Require the parent violating the order to pay all court costs and reasonable attorney fees of the other party.

            (f) A pattern of willful and intentional violation of this Section, without good cause, may constitute a material change in circumstances warranting a modification of an existing custody or visitation order.

            (g) The court may award attorney fees to the prevailing party in a contempt of court proceeding provided for in this Section.

            (2) Justices of the peace may punish a person adjudged guilty of a direct contempt of court by a fine of not more than fifty dollars, or imprisonment in the parish jail for not more than twenty-four hours, or both.

            (3) The court or justice of the peace, when applicable, may suspend the imposition or the execution of the whole or any part of the sentence imposed and place the defendant on unsupervised probation or probation supervised by a probation office, agency, or officer designated by the court or justice of the peace, other than the division of probation and parole of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. When the court or justice of the peace places a defendant on probation, the court or the justice of the peace may impose any specific conditions reasonably related to the defendant's rehabilitation, including but not limited to the conditions of probation as set forth in Code of Criminal Procedure Article 895. A term of probation shall not exceed the length of time a defendant may be imprisoned for the contempt, except in the case of contempt for disobeying an order for the payment of child support or spousal support or an order for the right of custody or visitation, when the term of probation may extend for a period of up to two years.

            Added by Acts 1960, No. 32, §6, eff. Jan. 1, 1961. Amended by Acts 1964, No. 241, §1; Acts 1972, No. 664, §1; Acts 1985, No. 43, §1; Acts 1991, No. 508, §2; Acts 1993, No. 429, §1; Acts 1995, No. 517, §1; Acts 1999, No. 57, §1; Acts 2001, No. 425, §2, eff. June 15, 2001; Acts 2004, No. 520, §1; Acts 2006, No. 653, §1; Acts 2014, No. 330, §1; Acts 2016, No. 132, §2; Acts 2017, No. 264, §3, eff. Aug. 1, 2019; Acts 2018, No. 136, §1; Acts 2019, No. 277, §2.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 176 cases (15 in the last 5 years), 1952–2025 · leading case: Fink v. Bryant, 801 So. 2d 346 (La. 2001).
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Fink v. Bryant, 801 So. 2d 346 (La. 2001). · cites it 5× “§ 13:4611 regulate contempt procedure in civil cases.”
City of Kenner v. Jumonville, 701 So. 2d 223 (La. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 12× “221-227 and LSA-R.S. 13:4611. LSA-C.C.P. art. 224 provides in pertinent part: A constructive contempt of court is any contempt other than a direct one.”
Howard v. Oden, 5 So. 3d 989 (La. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 8× “R.S. 13:4611. That statute provides, in pertinent part: Except as otherwise provided for by law: (1) The supreme court, the courts of appeal, the district courts, family courts, juvenile courts and the city courts may punish a person adjudged guilty of a contempt of court…”
Boudreaux v. Vankerkhove, 993 So. 2d 725 (La. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 4× “R.S. 13:4611. La. C.C.P. art. 227. According to La.”
In Reference to the Interdiction of Jones, 54 So. 3d 54 (La. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 6× “The punishment which a court may impose upon a person adjudged guilty of contempt of court is provided in R.S.13:4611.” La.C.C.P. art. 227. The appellants were found in contempt for the willful disobedience of a court order, which constitutes constructive contempt of court.”
Dazet Mortg. Solutions LLC v. Faia, 116 So. 3d 711 (La. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 6× “R.S. 13:4611 permits only a maximum fine of $500.”
Rogers v. Dickens, 959 So. 2d 940 (La. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 4× “R.S. 13:4611. STANDARD OF REVIEW A trial court is vested with great discretion in determining whether a party should be held in contempt, and its decision will only be reversed when the appellate court discerns an abuse of that discretion.”
In Re Succession of Horrell, 993 So. 2d 354 (La. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 5× “Horrell alleges that the trial court erred in that the trial court does not have the authority to order payments to attorneys or litigants in lieu of a contempt fine.”
Fontana v. Fontana, 426 So. 2d 351 (La. Ct. App. 1983). · cites it 5× “Fontana was "found to be in willful contempt for violating orders of this Court in refusing to pay child support and alimony, refusing to maintain his wife in possession of the family car, and refusing to return the minor child following visitations on February 21 and again on…”
Brunet v. Magnolia Quarterboats, Inc., 711 So. 2d 308 (La. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 4× “R.S.13:4611. La. C.C.P. art. 224 provides in pertinent part: A constructive contempt of court is any contempt other than a direct one.”
Leger v. Leger, 808 So. 2d 632 (La. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 4× “The punishment a court may impose upon a person adjudged guilty of contempt of court is provided in LSA-R.S. 13:4611. The penalty which may be imposed for contempt of court for disobeying an order for the payment of child support or spousal support is a fine of not more than…”
City of Baton Rouge v. Douglas, 218 So. 3d 158 (La. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “Douglas’s claim that the City/Parish has willfully disobeyed the April 30, 2010 “constructive contempt” order of the trial court, we note that the April 30, 2010 order solely granted his motion to strike a memorandum in opposition filed by the City /Parish in response to his…”
Show all 176 citing cases →
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(1): 1 case
City of Baton Rouge v. Douglas, 218 So. 3d 158 (La. Ct. App. 2017). “Douglas’s claim that the City/Parish has willfully disobeyed the April 30, 2010 “constructive contempt” order of the trial court, we note that the April 30, 2010 order solely granted his motion to strike a memorandum in opposition filed by the City /Parish in response to his…”
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(1)(a): 2 cases
Johnson & Placke v. Norris, 874 So. 2d 340 (La. Ct. App. 2004).
Cormier v. Roberson, 691 So. 2d 807 (La. Ct. App. 1997).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(1)(b): 4 cases
Arrington v. Arrington, 930 So. 2d 1068 (La. Ct. App. 2006).
Geo-je's Civic Ass'n Inc. v. Reed, 525 So. 2d 192 (La. Ct. App. 1988).
Long v. Hutchins, 926 So. 2d 556 (La. Ct. App. 2006).
Avery v. Louisiana Leadership Fund, LLC, No. 2:23-cv-05476 (E.D. La. June 13, 2024).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(1)(c): 7 cases
City of Kenner v. Jumonville, 701 So. 2d 223 (La. Ct. App. 1997). “221-227 and LSA-R.S. 13:4611. LSA-C.C.P. art. 224 provides in pertinent part: A constructive contempt of court is any contempt other than a direct one.”
Davis v. Davis, 997 So. 2d 149 (La. Ct. App. 2008).
Johnson & Placke v. Norris, 874 So. 2d 340 (La. Ct. App. 2004).
Brown v. Taylor, 728 So. 2d 1058 (La. Ct. App. 1999).
Lutke v. Lutke, 750 So. 2d 512 (La. Ct. App. 2000).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(1)(d): 24 cases
Fink v. Bryant, 801 So. 2d 346 (La. 2001). “§ 13:4611 regulate contempt procedure in civil cases.”
Rogers v. Dickens, 959 So. 2d 940 (La. Ct. App. 2007). “R.S. 13:4611. STANDARD OF REVIEW A trial court is vested with great discretion in determining whether a party should be held in contempt, and its decision will only be reversed when the appellate court discerns an abuse of that discretion.”
Boudreaux v. Vankerkhove, 993 So. 2d 725 (La. Ct. App. 2008). “R.S. 13:4611. La. C.C.P. art. 227. According to La.”
Leger v. Leger, 808 So. 2d 632 (La. Ct. App. 2001). “The punishment a court may impose upon a person adjudged guilty of contempt of court is provided in LSA-R.S. 13:4611. The penalty which may be imposed for contempt of court for disobeying an order for the payment of child support or spousal support is a fine of not more than…”
Davis v. Davis, 997 So. 2d 149 (La. Ct. App. 2008).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(1)(d)(i): 6 cases
Tiffany Nielsen v. Nakia Nielsen, 375 So. 3d 1042 (La. Ct. App. 2023).
Terence St. Germain v. Lesley Simmons St. Germain, 282 So. 3d 282 (La. Ct. App. 2019).
Corey David Treas v. Chantal Elizabeth Koerner, 364 So. 3d 55 (La. Ct. App. 2019).
Katherine Reznik Benoit v. Benjamin Paul Benoit, No. 2023CA1115 (La. Ct. App. May 16, 2024).
Rafael Antonio Mena Chavez A/K/A Sergio Balboa, Individually & on Behalf of His Minor Child., Ingrid Mena Perez & Kelvin Perez & Plaintiff-Intervenors Emr (Usa Holdings), Inc., & S. Recycling, LLC v. Metso Minerals Indus., Inc. N/K/A Metso Outotech USA, Inc. & Abc Ins. Co., 395 So. 3d 771 (La. 2024).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(1)(e): 1 case
Blair v. Knight, 977 So. 2d 303 (La. Ct. App. 2008).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(1)(e)(iv): 3 cases
Spring v. Edwards, 25 So. 3d 247 (La. Ct. App. 2009).
Luv N' Care, Ltd. v. Jackel Int'l Ltd., 269 So. 3d 1136 (La. Ct. App. 2019).
Luv N' Care, Ltd. v. Jackel Int'l Ltd., 269 So. 3d 1136 (La. Ct. App. 2019).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(1)(f): 1 case
Howard v. Oden, 5 So. 3d 989 (La. Ct. App. 2009). “R.S. 13:4611. That statute provides, in pertinent part: Except as otherwise provided for by law: (1) The supreme court, the courts of appeal, the district courts, family courts, juvenile courts and the city courts may punish a person adjudged guilty of a contempt of court…”
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(1)(g): 5 cases
Camalo v. Estrada, 257 So. 3d 202 (La. Ct. App. 2018).
Ramelli Janitorial Serv., Inc. v. IV Waste, L.L.C., 381 So. 3d 757 (La. Ct. App. 2023).
Cera Marie Vitaliano v. Christopher David Blackstock, 424 So. 3d 786 (La. Ct. App. 2025).
Succession of Bettye Lou Thomas Moore, 339 So. 3d 12 (La. Ct. App. 2022).
Terence St. Germain v. Lesley Simmons St. Germain, 282 So. 3d 282 (La. Ct. App. 2019).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(2): 1 case
Louisiana Livestock Sanitary Bd. v. Johnson, 372 So. 2d 585 (La. Ct. App. 1979).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(3): 4 cases
Louisiana State Bd. of Med. Examiners v. Bates, 249 So. 2d 127 (La. 1971).
In re T.S., 32 So. 3d 1026 (La. Ct. App. 2010).
In Re Ts, 32 So. 3d 1026 (La. Ct. App. 2010).
Louisiana State Bd. of Med. Examiners v. Doty, 258 So. 2d 639 (La. Ct. App. 1972).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(4): 1 case
Rosselli v. Rosselli, 352 So. 2d 370 (La. Ct. App. 1977).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(A): 6 cases
Riley v. Pennix, 442 So. 2d 563 (La. Ct. App. 1983).
Graval v. Graval, 355 So. 2d 1057 (La. Ct. App. 1978).
Wall v. Wall, 230 So. 2d 420 (La. Ct. App. 1969).
Ourso v. Ourso, 282 So. 2d 157 (La. Ct. App. 1973).
Wollman v. GRAVAL, 355 So. 2d 1057 (La. Ct. App. 1978).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(A)(2): 2 cases
Branstetter v. Purohit, 958 So. 2d 740 (La. Ct. App. 2007).
Martin v. Martin, 469 So. 2d 1108 (La. Ct. App. 1985).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(A)(4): 5 cases
State v. Austin, 374 So. 2d 1252 (La. 1979).
Fontana v. Fontana, 426 So. 2d 351 (La. Ct. App. 1983). “Fontana was "found to be in willful contempt for violating orders of this Court in refusing to pay child support and alimony, refusing to maintain his wife in possession of the family car, and refusing to return the minor child following visitations on February 21 and again on…”
Dove v. Dove, 386 So. 2d 127 (La. Ct. App. 1980).
Debetaz v. Debetaz, 421 So. 2d 379 (La. Ct. App. 1982).
Bell v. Bell, 386 So. 2d 1096 (La. Ct. App. 1980).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(D): 1 case
Cera Marie Vitaliano v. Christopher David Blackstock, 424 So. 3d 786 (La. Ct. App. 2025).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(D)(i): 1 case
Rafael Antonio Mena Chavez A/K/A Sergio Balboa, Individually & on Behalf of His Minor Child., Ingrid Mena Perez & Kelvin Perez & Plaintiff-Intervenors Emr (Usa Holdings), Inc., & S. Recycling, LLC v. Metso Minerals Indus., Inc. N/K/A Metso Outotech USA, Inc. & Abc Ins. Co., 395 So. 3d 771 (La. 2024).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(c): 1 case
Employers Mut. Cas. Co. v. Joseph T. Lofton & Natasha Starks Reversed; Reversed; Vacated; Remanded. Marcotte, J., concurs with reasons set forth by J. Ellender., 386 So. 3d 1263 (La. Ct. App. 2024).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(d): 6 cases
Soileau v. Smith's True Value & Rental, 40 So. 3d 379 (La. Ct. App. 2010).
George v. Nero, 839 So. 2d 1085 (La. Ct. App. 2003).
Kopnicky v. Citgo Petroleum Corp., 215 So. 3d 746 (La. Ct. App. 2008).
Allen v. Allen, 132 So. 3d 380 (La. 2013).
Allen v. Martin, 127 So. 3d 907 (La. 2013).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(d)(e): 1 case
LeBlanc v. LeBlanc, 953 So. 2d 115 (La. Ct. App. 2007).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(d)(i): 1 case
Employers Mut. Cas. Co. v. Joseph T. Lofton & Natasha Starks Reversed; Reversed; Vacated; Remanded. Marcotte, J., concurs with reasons set forth by J. Ellender., 386 So. 3d 1263 (La. Ct. App. 2024).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(g): 1 case
Wendy Deben MacQuet v. Dominique MacQuet, 306 So. 3d 498 (La. Ct. App. 2020).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(l)(b): 1 case
Yokum v. Nicholas S. Karno II, Inc., 126 So. 3d 723 (La. Ct. App. 2013).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(l)(c): 1 case
Kairdolf v. Kairdolf, 58 So. 3d 527 (La. Ct. App. 2011).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(l)(d): 15 cases
Jaligam v. Pochampally, 162 So. 3d 464 (La. Ct. App. 2015).
In Reference to the Interdiction of Jones, 54 So. 3d 54 (La. Ct. App. 2010). “The punishment which a court may impose upon a person adjudged guilty of contempt of court is provided in R.S.13:4611.” La.C.C.P. art. 227. The appellants were found in contempt for the willful disobedience of a court order, which constitutes constructive contempt of court.”
Howard v. Oden, 5 So. 3d 989 (La. Ct. App. 2009). “R.S. 13:4611. That statute provides, in pertinent part: Except as otherwise provided for by law: (1) The supreme court, the courts of appeal, the district courts, family courts, juvenile courts and the city courts may punish a person adjudged guilty of a contempt of court…”
Lockett v. UV Ins. Risk Retention Grp., Inc., 180 So. 3d 557 (La. Ct. App. 2015).
Garcia v. Garcia, 49 So. 3d 601 (La. Ct. App. 2010).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(l)(d)(i): 2 cases
Rockett v. Rockett, 223 So. 3d 1227 (La. Ct. App. 2017).
Allen v. Allen, 171 So. 3d 922 (La. 2015).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(l)(e): 1 case
Morris v. Morris, 889 So. 2d 1048 (La. Ct. App. 2004).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(l)(e)(i): 1 case
LeBlanc v. LeBlanc, 953 So. 2d 115 (La. Ct. App. 2007).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(l)(e)(iii): 1 case
LeBlanc v. LeBlanc, 953 So. 2d 115 (La. Ct. App. 2007).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(l)(e)(iv): 2 cases
State ex rel. Dep't of Child. & Fam. Servs., Child Support Enf't ex rel. Bushman v. Knapp, 216 So. 3d 130 (La. Ct. App. 2017).
Smith v. Pillow-Smith, 52 So. 3d 264 (La. Ct. App. 2010).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(l)(f): 2 cases
Howard v. Oden, 5 So. 3d 989 (La. Ct. App. 2009). “R.S. 13:4611. That statute provides, in pertinent part: Except as otherwise provided for by law: (1) The supreme court, the courts of appeal, the district courts, family courts, juvenile courts and the city courts may punish a person adjudged guilty of a contempt of court…”
LeBlanc v. LeBlanc, 953 So. 2d 115 (La. Ct. App. 2007).
La. Rev. Stat. § 13:4611(l)(g): 1 case
Lepine v. Lepine, 223 So. 3d 666 (La. Ct. App. 2017).
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