Section 2 Purpose

• Library: Remedies 2006

“Civil contempt is intended to benefit a party for whom an order, judgment, or decree was entered. Its purpose is to coerce compliance with the relief granted.” In re Marriage of Crow & Gilmore, 103 S.W.3d 778, 780 (Mo. banc 2003) (quoting State ex rel. Chassaing v. Mummert, 887 S.W.2d 573 (Mo. banc 1994)). It is also used to compensate a party for any losses sustained as a result of noncompliance with the court’s order or decree. Frankel v. Moskovitz, 503 S.W.2d 428 (Mo. App. E.D. 1973).

The purpose of civil contempt is remedial for the benefit of the complainant, not to punish. Tashma v. Nucrown, Inc., 23 S.W.3d 248 (Mo. App. E.D. 2000) (citing Levis v. Markee, 771 S.W.2d 928 (Mo. App...