Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

Updated September 2025

J. Orders of Contempt

Orders of contempt must:

•   Be in writing, definite, and certain;[70]

•   Clearly state in what respect the court's earlier order was violated;[71]

•   Notify the contemnor of how they violated the previous order;[72]

•   Be signed by the judge within a short, reasonable time after finding of contempt;[73]

•   If it is punitive, it must specify the exact punishment imposed;[74] and

•   If it is coercive, it must clearly state what the contemnor must do to purge himself of contempt.[75]

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.[76]