RCW 7.21.010Definitions.The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter:(1) 'Contempt of court' means intentional:(a) Disorderly, contemptuous, or insolent behavior toward the judge while holding the court, tending to impair its authority, or to interrupt the due course of a trial or other judicial proceedings;(b) Disobedience of any lawful judgment, decree, order, or process of the court;(c) Refusal as a witness to appear, be sworn, or, without lawful authority, to answer a question; or(d) Refusal, without lawful authority, to produce a record, document, or other object.(2) 'Punitive sanction' means a sanction imposed to punish a past contempt of court for the purpose of upholding the authority of the court.(3) 'Remedial sanction' means a sanction imposed for the purpose of coercing performance when the contempt consists of the omission or refusal to perform an act that is yet in the person's power to perform.[ 1989 c 373 s 1.]
Washington Legal Code