Section 15 Elements

• Library: Remedies 2006

“[C]riminal contempt is conduct which tends to impair the authority of the court,” Bender v. Young, 252 S.W. 691, 693 (Mo. 1923), and actions that tend to “belittle, degrade, obstruct, interrupt, prevent, [interfere with, obstruct,] or embarrass the administration of justice.” G— v. Souder, 305 S.W.2d 883, 886 (Mo. App. S.D. 1957); State ex rel. McKittrick v. Koon, 201 S.W.2d 446 (Mo. banc 1947). The elements of criminal contempt are actual knowledge of the order and willful conduct in violation of its terms. Reeves v. Moreland, 577 S.W.2d 125 (Mo. App. E.D. 1979); Ramsey v. Grayland, 567 S.W.2d 682 (Mo. App. E.D. 1978); State ex rel. Girard v. Percich, 557 S.W.2d 25 (Mo. App. E.D. 1977).

In Chemical Fireproofing Corp. v. Bronska, 553 S.W.2d 710 (Mo. App. E.D. 1977), the Eastern...