Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Criminal Procedure Act 2011

Appeals - Appeals against finding of or sentence for contempt of court - First appeals

260: Right of appeal against finding of or sentence for contempt of court

You could also call this:

"You can appeal if a court finds you guilty of disrespecting the court or gives you a sentence you think is unfair."

Illustration for Criminal Procedure Act 2011

If a court decides you are guilty of contempt of court, you can appeal. You can appeal against the court's decision that you are guilty, or against the sentence they give you. You cannot appeal against an order to detain you in custody until the court finishes for the day.

You appeal to the first appeal court, which is the court that hears your appeal first. The court that originally found you guilty of contempt of court is not the same as the first appeal court. You have the right to appeal to this court if you think the decision or sentence was wrong.

You can look at the Crimes Act 1961 and other laws for more information about contempt of court and how it works. These laws are available on the New Zealand legislation website. They can help you understand what contempt of court means and what happens if you are found guilty.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3360438.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal lawCrime and justice > Courts and legal help
Previous

259: Further appeal from determination of Court of Appeal, or

"Appealing to the Supreme Court if you think the Court of Appeal made a legal mistake"

Next

261: First appeal courts, or

"Which court you appeal to if you disagree with a contempt finding"

Part 6Appeals
Appeals against finding of or sentence for contempt of court: First appeals

260Right of appeal against finding of or sentence for contempt of court

  1. This section applies if a court finds a person guilty of a criminal contempt of court, whether or not committed in the face of a court.

  2. The person found guilty of the contempt may appeal under this subpart to the first appeal court against either or both of the following:

  3. the finding of contempt of court:
    1. any sentence imposed, other than an order that the person be detained in custody until the rising of the court.

      Compare