Young giraffes do not fit in car seats. Relocating giraffes is complicated business. But despite what you might think, giraffes are rarely the ones charged with contempt of court.

Recently, however, a Virginia case involving the seizure and transport of giraffes — yes, actual giraffes — resulted in contempt charges against two zoo owners. The giraffes were innocent bystanders. The humans? Not so much.

That strange story highlights a very real legal concept that shows up far more often in Virginia family court than in zoos: contempt of court.

If your ex ignores custody orders, refuses to pay support, or blocks your visitation, contempt may be the legal tool that forces compliance. Understanding how it works can protect both your rights and your relationship with your children.

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What Is Contempt of Court?

The U.S. Department of Justice defines contempt as an act of disobedience or disrespect toward the judicial branch or interference with its orderly process. In plain English, it means ignoring or defying a judge’s lawful order.

In Virginia family law, “the court” usually means either a Circuit Court judge or a Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court judge. When that judge signs an order — custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, or property division — it is not a suggestion. It is the law.

Deliberately violating that order can trigger contempt.

Contempt is not theatrical courtroom drama like you see on television. It is a real legal consequence for real misconduct. And unlike those giraffes, you must actually be part of a court case to be charged.

Direct vs. Indirect Contempt

Virginia courts first divide contempt by where it happens.

Direct contempt occurs in the courtroom, in front of the judge. Think shouting, threatening someone, refusing to answer lawful questions, or disrupting proceedings. Because the judge personally witnesses it, punishment can be immediate.

Indirect contempt — also called constructive contempt — happens outside the courtroom. This is far more common in family law. Examples include refusing to follow custody schedules, failing to pay support, ignoring court orders, or withholding evidence.

Indirect contempt usually requires proof and a hearing, but it is every bit as serious.

Civil vs. Criminal Contempt in Virginia

Virginia law also separates contempt into two categories based on purpose: civil and criminal.

Criminal contempt exists to punish behavior that disrespects the authority of the court. It is backward-looking and penal in nature. The goal is accountability.

Civil contempt is different. It is forward-looking and designed to force compliance. The court’s goal is not punishment but correction — getting someone to obey the order they are ignoring.

This distinction matters enormously in family law. Most custody and support violations fall under civil contempt because the court wants behavior fixed, not merely punished.

How Contempt Applies to Family Law Cases

For fathers navigating divorce or custody disputes, contempt becomes relevant when an ex refuses to follow court orders.

Common examples include missed child support payments, denied visitation, refusal to transfer property awarded in the divorce, or ignoring parenting schedules. Even temporary pendente lite orders — issued while the divorce is pending — carry the full force of law. Violating them can trigger contempt just as easily as violating a final decree.

In other words, “temporary” does not mean optional.

When one parent repeatedly disregards orders, contempt may be the only effective enforcement tool.

Possible Penalties and Consequences

Many people assume criminal contempt is worse than civil contempt. Not necessarily.

Criminal contempt in Virginia can result in fines or short jail sentences under state law. But civil contempt can lead to something that feels even heavier: confinement until compliance.

Judges sometimes describe civil contempt this way: “The accused holds the keys to the jail cell.”

If you are jailed for failing to pay support, you can secure your release simply by paying what you owe. If you comply with the order, the contempt ends. The court’s goal is obedience, not revenge.

Still, the possibility of jail, fines, and attorney’s fees tends to get people’s attention quickly.

How a Motion to Show Cause Works

Here’s something important: you cannot personally “charge” your ex with contempt. That is not how Virginia law works.

Instead, your attorney files what is called a Motion to Show Cause for Contempt of Court. This motion asks the judge to require the other party to appear and explain why they should not be held in contempt for violating the order.

The court then schedules a hearing. Evidence is presented. If the judge finds willful noncompliance, sanctions follow.

This process can feel slow, especially when you are frustrated. But the deliberate pace exists for a reason — it ensures decisions are based on evidence rather than emotion.

Patience and documentation matter. Keep records of every missed payment, every denied visit, every violation. Those records become your strongest proof.

When Violations Become Serious

Some violations go beyond inconvenience and into dangerous territory. When a parent exposes children to illegal behavior, relocates them without permission, hides assets, or endangers their safety, courts move faster and respond more aggressively.

Virginia judges prioritize children’s well-being above nearly everything else. When a parent’s conduct threatens a child, contempt proceedings — and other legal remedies — can happen quickly.

In those moments, experienced legal action matters more than ever.

Why You Need an Attorney — Not DIY Justice

It is tempting to handle things yourself. Many Virginia men pride themselves on solving problems independently. But contempt of court is not a DIY project.

Calling the police, confronting your ex, or trying to “even the score” can backfire badly and damage your custody case. Judges reward calm, lawful responses — not emotional retaliation.

Your attorney knows how to escalate appropriately, file the correct motions, and present evidence in a way the court respects. Let the lawyer be the hammer. You focus on being a steady, reliable father.

At The Firm For Men, we help Virginia fathers enforce their rights and hold noncompliant ex-spouses accountable. If court orders are being ignored, don’t suffer in silence. Call us at (757) 383-9184 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and protect your time with your children.