Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Contempt, penal code section 166

This is a rather weird question... so I apologize ahead of time.

''Contempt of Court'' is sometimes charged as California Penal Code section ''166.4'' and sometimes as ''166(a)(4)'' (Not to mention to other sections in the Code of Civil Procedure...). How does ''166.4'' differ from ''166(a)(4)''? Is 166.4 a real section of the code (which I cannot find online), or is it some kind of shorthand? The official online version of the Penal Code (from leginfo.ca.gov) only lists 166 and 166.5 (twice?).

Any information I could get clearing this up would be great.

Thanks!


Asked on 4/24/08, 7:34 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

Re: Contempt, penal code section 166

It appears that the proper citation is PC 166 with a particular subparagraph being added such as (a)(4). This is criminal contempt as the penalty is jail time. Civil contempt would not include jail time as penalty.

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Answered on 5/01/08, 10:50 pm


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