What is contempt of court?

• A. Disobeying a court order in a minor way
• B. A failure to appear for a civil deposition
• C. Conduct that obstructs the proper administration of justice
• D. A traffic violation near a courthouse

Answer: (C)

Contempt of court means conduct that obstructs the proper administration of justice. It covers acts that undermine the court’s authority, disrupt proceedings, or willfully ignore a court order. That broad idea is why this choice is the best fit. Disobeying a court order is a form of contempt, but contempt isn’t limited to just that; it includes any action that hinders the court’s ability to do its job. Missing a deposition can be contempt if the court has ordered you to appear, but that’s a specific scenario rather than the general concept. A traffic violation near a courthouse isn’t related to the court’s processes and isn’t contempt.