Opinion ID: 1833552
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: DIRECT vs. CONSTRUCTIVE CONTEMPT.

Text: ¶ 10. There are two forms of criminal contempt: direct and constructive. Direct contempt occurs in the presence of the court and may be dealt with immediately. Indirect contempt occurs outside the presence of the court, and the defendant must be provided notice and a hearing. Direct criminal contempt involves words spoken or actions committed in the presence of the court that are calculated to embarrass or prevent the orderly administration of justice. Punishment for direct contempt may be meted out instantly by the judge in whose presence the offensive conduct was committed.... Unlike direct contempt, constructive contempt involves actions which are committed outside the presence of the court ... In the case of constructive criminal contempt, we have held that defendants must be provided with procedural due process safeguards, including a specification of charges, notice, and a hearing. Moulds v. Bradley, 791 So.2d 220, 224-25 (Miss.2001) (citations omitted). The acts complained of herein were committed outside the presence of the court; therefore the acts constituted constructive criminal contempt and procedural due process safeguards attached.