Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book
2023 version: As effective November 1, 2023
J. Orders of Contempt
Orders of contempt must:
• Be in writing, definite, and certain;[55]
• Clearly state in what respect the court's earlier order was violated;[56]
• Notify the contemnor of how they violated the previous order;[57]
• Be signed by the judge within a short, reasonable time after finding of contempt;[58]
• If it is punitive, it must specify the exact punishment imposed;[59] and
• If it is coercive, it must clearly state what the contemnor must do to purge himself of contempt.[60]
If the contemnor is to be incarcerated, the orders of contempt must be accompanied by an order of commitment, and no person may be held for contempt without a written order of commitment. Orders of commitment must provide the precise punishment assessed or, in the case of coercive contempt, the things contemnor must do to be purged of contempt.[61]