To meet legal standards, there must be a written order to jail someone for civil contempt of court, according to Ex parte Puckitt, 322 S.W.2d 597 (1959). Even if there’s a written contempt order, a separate written jail order must be given to the officer, as established in cases like Ex parte Hardin, 344 S.W.2d 152 (1961) and others. This jail order doesn’t have a specific required format. It can be a certified copy of the court’s judgment or a separate order signed by the judge or court clerk.
The court can temporarily hold a person in jail while waiting for the official jail order to be signed, as explained in Ex parte Barnett, 600 S.W.2d 252 (Tex. 1980).
Legally, a written jail order is a must before someone can be imprisoned for contempt, detailed in Ex parte Hardin and others. The format of this order isn’t strictly defined by law, as discussed in Ex parte Arapis, 306 S.W.2d 884 (1957). It might be the court’s judgment itself or a separate document signed by the judge or court clerk.
If you or someone you know is currently facing confinement for contempt of court in any county across Texas, don’t face this challenging situation alone. At Beveridge Law Firm, founded and owned by Ben Beveridge, we specialize in handling cases of contempt of court and ensuring that your rights are protected throughout the legal process. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing expert guidance and representation to help you navigate through this difficult time.
No matter where you are in Texas, we’re here to support you.
Our office is located at 410 South 2nd St, Alvin, Texas 77511. Reach out to us today at (1) 713-280-3326 or submit your information at https://beveridgelawfirm.com/contact/. Let us help you find the best path forward.
