Under what circumstances can a law enforcement officer (LEO) be held in criminal contempt?

A law enforcement officer can be held in criminal contempt if information and summons are disposed of improperly. This situation typically arises when an officer fails to follow proper legal procedures regarding the handling of notifications related to court appearances or legal charges. Disposing of such documents improperly can undermine the judicial process, leading to confusion, undermining of court authority, and potential violations of due process rights for individuals involved.

For instance, if an officer were to mishandle or improperly file a summons, it could prevent a defendant from being properly notified of charges, which disrupts the legal proceedings of the court and can lead to further judicial issues. Criminal contempt in this context serves to uphold the integrity of the legal process and ensure that law enforcement officers adhere to established procedures.

Other options, like minor traffic violations, failing to make an arrest, or questioning their orders, do not typically fall under actions that would constitute contempt of court. Such matters would generally involve different forms of accountability or disciplinary action rather than criminal contempt, which is specifically concerned with actions that directly obstruct the court's function.