Which statement about the contempt of court penalty related to order violations is correct?

• A. Up to 6 months in jail
• B. Up to 2 years in jail
• C. Up to $750 fine
• D. Up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine up to $1,500

Answer: (D)

Contempt for violating a court order is punished to enforce obedience and maintain the authority of the court, so penalties typically include both a potential jail term and a monetary fine. The statement that allows up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine up to $1,500 fits this structure, providing a balanced maximum that reflects the possibility of either confinement or a financial penalty (or both) for disobeying an order. This combination is commonly used for petty criminal contempt related to order violations, making it the best match for the scenario.

The other options either cap the jail term too low or too high, or omit the possibility of a jail term altogether, which makes them less accurate representations of the usual contempt penalties for order violations.