SO YOU GOT YOUR JUDGMENT, NOW WHAT?
ENFORCING JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS THROUGH CONTEMPT,
GARNISHMENT, AND OTHER REMEDIES
Mark Kramer, Kramer and Associates*
* Special thanks to John Bartholomew, Summer Law Student from George
Washington Law School, for assistance in preparing these materials.
I. Contempt
a. Contempt Means Doing the Following Things “Willfully.” ORS 33.015(2).
i. Misconduct in the presence of the court that interferes with a court
proceeding or with the
administration of justice, or that impairs the respect due the court. ORS
33.015(2)(a).
ii. Disobedience of, resistance to or obstruction of the court’s authority,
process, orders or judgments.
ORS 33.015(2)(b).
In State ex rel Crown Investment v. City of Bend, 206 Or App 453 (2006), Crown’s
decison to
demolish a historic building without waiting for the court to decide its
mandamus action, was an
obstruction of the court’s authority and process” justifying a remedial contempt
sanction.
In St. Sauver and St. Sauver, 196 Or App 175 (2004), husband was found in
contempt by misleading
wife into believing that she would be allowed to retrieve her personal property
after a previously
agreed retrieval period. The court found that such conduct “constituted
resistance to and obstruction
of the court’s judgment and provided sufficient grounds for a finding of
contempt.” Id at 186.
Similarly, husband was found in contempt for repossessing the car awarded to
wife. Husband
claimed that wife allowed the car insurance to lapse in violation of the Marital
Settlement Agreement.
The court rejected husband’s claims, finding that husband’s conduct was
“essentially a set up, a way
to help strip her both of the mobility and her dignity,” where wife was
tendering money to husband
on a monthly basis for car payments and insurance until his repossession. Id at
187. Again the court
found that his conduct constituted resistance or obstruction of the court’s
judgment sufficient to
support the contempt judgment.
In Bachman and Bachman, 171 Or. App. 665 (2000) the court held that husband
could be found in
contempt for violating a FAPA order. Husband allegedly willfully entered or
attempted to enter the
residence of Wife and was within 150 feet of Wife.
In State v. Hill, 108 Or. App. 135, 139 (1991) the court explained that
willfulness is related to a
defendant’s ability to pay. Defendant is willful if he is capable of making even
just partial payments
but fails to do so.
iii. Refusal as a witness to appear, be sworn or answer a question contrary to
an order of the court. ORS
33.015(2)(c).
iv. Refusal to produce a record, document or other object contrary to an order
of the court. ORS
33.015(2)(d).
v. Violation of a statutory provision that specifically subjects the person to
the contempt power of the
court.
Also see ORS 107.718. Violation of restraining order constitutes contempt of
court.
See ORS 107.135(14)(B)(b) Vacation or modification of judgment; policy regarding
settlement;
enforcement of settlement terms; remedies. In proceeding under subsection (1)
court can use contempt
to enforce the terms set forth in a stipulated order or judgment signed by the
parties, an order or
judgment resulting from a settlement on the record or an order or judgment
incorporating a settlement
agreement.
vi. Willfully means:
1. A determination to act or refrain from acting. State v. O’Malley, 248 Or 601
(1967).
O’Malley received two subpoenas requiring his appearance at essentially the same
time.
O’Malley had duty to contact authorities about the scheduling. Case remanded
because trial
court failed to specify a clear finding of willfulness.
2. Willfullness includes bad intent. No separate finding of bad intent is
required. Couey and
Couey, 312 Or 302 (1991). In Couey Father failed to make monthly child support
payments
despite the receipt of a significant inheritance.
3. A finding of intent is not required. Willfullness is sufficient. In In re
Chase, 339 Or 452,
457 (2005), in a Bar disciplinary proceeding, the Court held that “willfulness”
under ORS
33.015(2) is not the equivalent of ”intent.” Knowledge of a valid court order
and failure to
comply establishes “willfulness.” Under ABA standards, “intent” requires “the
conscious
objective or purpose to accomplish a particular result.” Acting “willfully” or
with knowledge
does not necessarily prove intent.
[Note: Conduct that constitutes contempt is “contumacious,” not “contemptuous.”
Niman and Niman, 206 Or App 400,
411 (2006)] b. Remedial vs. Punitive Sanctions.
i. Power.
1. Court has inherent power to impose remedial and punitive sanctions. ORS
33.025(1).
See Oregonians for Sound Economic Policy, Inc. v. SAIF, 218 Or App 31 (2008) for
History of
Contempt from medieval English common law to present (pp. 45-50); Analysis of
remedial vs.
punitive contempt (pp. 50-55).
ii. Confinement can be remedial or punitive.
1. Is remedial if it continues or accumulates until the defendant complies with
the court’s order
or judgment. ORS 33.045(2)(a).
A. Confinement in ten day blocks until husband complied with support order was
punitive because it was for a definite time. For example if husband paid on day
five
of ten he still would not be released until day 10. In the Matter of the
Marriage of
Miller, 204 Or App 82 (2006).
2. Is punitive if for a definite period that will not be reduced even if the
defendant complies
with the court’s order or judgment. ORS 33.045(2)(b).
QUERY: IF CUSTODIAL PARENT HAS DENIED NONCUSTODIAL PARENT,
PARENTING TIME AND IF THE VIOLATION IS NOT CONTINUING, IS
REMEDIAL CONTEMPT AVAILABLE? DOES VIOLATION CONTINUE
UNTIL NC PARENT RECEIVES MAKE-UP TIME?
iii. Fines can be remedial or punitive.
1. Is punitive if for a past contempt. ORS 33.045(3)(a).
2. Is remedial if it is:
A. For a continuing contempt and the fine accumulates until the defendant
complies
with the court’s judgment or order, or
B. If the fine may be partially or entirely forgiven when the defendant complies
with
the court’s order or judgment. ORS 33.045(3)(b).
[Practice Suggestion: Consider seeking a remedial sanction of a suspended
execution of definite sentence, suspended
for a definite period to give contemnor the opportunity to comply.]
c. What Sanctions Can You Get?
i. Remedial. Court can impose one or more of the following. ORS
33.105(1)(a)-(f).
1. Money sufficient to compensate for loss, injury, or costs suffered as a
result of a contempt
of court.
2. Confinement for so long as contempt continues, or six months, whichever is
shorter.
3. Amount not to exceed $500 or 1% of defendant’s annual gross income, whichever
is greater,
for each day the contempt of court continues.
4. An order designed to insure compliance with a prior order of the court,
including probation.
5. A sanction other than those listed above if the court determines that the
sanction would be
an effective remedy for the contempt.
ii. Punitive. Court can impose one or more of the following. ORS
33.105(2)(a)-(d).
1. Amount not to exceed $500 or 1% of defendant’s annual gross income, whichever
is greater.
2. Forfeiture of any proceeds or profits obtained through the contempt.
3. Confinement for not more than six months.
4. Probation or community service.
d. Who Can Seek Sanctions?
i. Remedial. ORS 33.055(2)(a)-(e).
1. A private lawyer representing a party aggrieved by an alleged contempt of
court, and a
(District Attorney, City Attorney, Attorney General, or Any other person
authorized by
statue).
ii. Punitive. ORS 33.065(2)-(3)
1. A public lawyer (District Attorney, City Attorney, Attorney General).
2. A private lawyer who is authorized to practice law in Oregon and who is not
counsel for an
interested party if the public attorney declines to prosecute and the court
determines that
remedial sanctions would not provide an effective alternative remedy.
3. ORS 33.065(2) provides that only a city attorney, district attorney, or
attorney general caninitiate the instrument charging a person with punitive contempt. Thus, a
private lawyer
cannot even initiate a punitive contempt case. For a private lawyer to be
appointed by the
court to prosecute in a punitive contempt hearing three things must occur.
Dahlem and
Dahlem, 117 Or. App. 343, 346 (1991). First, a public lawyer has to initiate the
case. Id.
Second, the public lawyer has to then decline to prosecute it. Id. And third,
the court must
find that remedial sanctions could not provide an appropriate alternative
remedy. Id.
e. Statute of Limitations.
i. Two years from act or omission constituting the contempt. ORS
33.135(1),unless a support order then
10 years. ORS 33.135(5).
ii. The two year time limit does not apply to an act or omission that
constitutes a continuing contempt
at the time the contempt proceedings are commenced. ORS 33.135(4).
iii. Willful failure to pay a support obligation after it becomes a judgment is
a contempt without regard
to when the obligation became a judgment. ORS 33.135(4).
iv. Action deemed commenced when ORS 33.055 motion is filed. ORS 33.135(5).
f. Procedures to Initiate Case.
i. Initial pleadings.
1. The court may issue an order directing the defendant to appear. ORS
33.055(5)(a).
2. Defendant must be personally served with the order to appear as provided in
ORCP 7 and 9.
A. Unless – the court finds the defendant cannot be personally served;
(1) then court can order service by another method; or
(2) an arrest warrant can be issued instead of an order to appear. ORS
33.055(5)(a).
B. If defendant fails to appear the court may issue any order or warrant
necessary to
compel the appearance of the defendant. ORS 33.075.
3. A motion to initiate a proceeding shall be filed in the proceeding to which
the contempt is
related, if there is a related proceeding. ORS 33.055(3).
4. The motion must state, UTCR 19.020:
A. The maximum sanction(s) that the party seeks;
B. Whether the party seeks a sanction of confinement; and
C. As to each sanction sought, whether plaintiff considers the sanction remedial
or
punitive.
5. The court cannot impose a sanction greater than the sanction
sought. A punitive sanction is
presumed greater than a remedial sanction. A punitive sanction of confinement is
presumed
greater than other punitive sanctions. A remedial sanction of confinement is
presumed
greater than other remedial sanctions. UTCR 19.020.
6. Request for attorney fees.
A. Motion should include a request for attorney fees. Fees may be awarded in
contempt proceedings in any suit for marital annulment, dissolution, or
separation
and in any suit for the enforcement of a restraining order or support order. ORS
107.455.
7. Joinder of claims.
A. Unless the court determines that other claims should be joined for fair
resolution of
the contempt matter, only the following claims may be joined with a contempt
complaint.
(1) Claims that arise out of the order or judgment that the contemnor allegedly
violated;
(2) Claims that involve facts and issues that would necessarily be determined
in a contempt proceeding; and
(3) Other claims of contempt arising out of a related matter.
ii. Person initiating proceeding must file supporting documentation sufficient
to give defendant notice
of the specific acts alleged to constitute contempt. ORS 33.055(4).
1. Potential problem: UTCR 19.050(5) says that ORCP 21(D) (motion to make more
definite
and certain) and ORCP 21E (motion to strike) do not apply to contempt
proceedings.
2. A party may amend a pleading in a contempt proceeding only on motion and with
court’s
approval. UTCR 19.050(4).
g. Contempt Pre-Trial Procedures.
i. Discovery.
1. ORCP discovery rules apply to contempt proceedings for remedial sanctions.
UTCR
19.040(1)(b).
2. UTCR rules that apply to criminal proceedings generally apply to contempt
proceedings for
punitive sanctions. UTCR 19.040(1)(c).
ii. Affidavits of prejudice.
1. A judge may be disqualified from a contempt proceeding as provided for in ORS
14.210 to
ORS 14.270.
2. Except ORS 14.260(3) does not apply to contempt proceedings. Thus, a judge in
a contempt
proceeding can be disqualified even if he/she has already made a ruling in the
underlying
case.
h. Contempt Trial Procedures.
i. Right to a hearing.
1. Defendant must be afforded a hearing before sanctions can be imposed.
Defendant can waive
the opportunity for a hearing by filing a stipulated order with the court. ORS
33.055(6).
ii. No right to a jury trial.
1. A defendant has no right to a jury trial in a contempt proceeding. ORS
33.055(7).
iii. Right to counsel if confinement is sought.
1. A defendant is entitled to be represented by counsel. ORS 33.055(8).
Additionally, a court
shall not impose a remedial sanction of confinement unless, before the hearing
is held, the
defendant is:
A. Informed that confinement may be imposed; and
B. Afforded the same right to court appointed counsel as required in proceedings
for
the imposition of an equivalent punitive confinement.
2. If the defendant is not represented by counsel when coming before the court,
the court shall
inform the defendant of the right to counsel, and the right to court appointed
counsel if
applicable. ORS 33.055(9).
iv. Rules of evidence.
1. The Oregon Evidence Code applies to contempt proceedings. However, it does
not apply to
direct contempt (contempt committed in the immediate view and presence of the
court, where
court can act summarily, ORS 33.096). OEC 101(2).
v. What has to be proven.
1. The following elements must be proven, Couey and Couey, 312 Or 302, 306
(1991):
A. A valid court order, judgment, or decree. (See Section IA for other conduct
that
may constitute contempt, e.g., obstruction of the court’s authority.)
B. Defendant’s knowledge of the order or decree.
C. Defendant’s voluntary (willful) non-compliance.
vi. Standard of proof.
1. Clear and convincing evidence for remedial sanctions. ORS 33.055(11).
2. Except remedial confinement requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt. ORS
33.055(11).
3. All punitive contempt sanctions require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. ORS
33.065(9)
vii. Burden of persuasion and production of evidence.
1. Are on the petitioning party. OEC 305 and OEC 307.
viii. Evidence must show willfullness.
1. Willfullness includes “bad intent.” Couey and Couey, 312 Or 302 (1991).
ix. Presumption of good faith.
1. Defendant is presumed to have acted in good faith. State ex rel Oregon State
Bar v. Wright,
280 Or 713, 720 (1977). This must be considered by the court in determining
whether the
defendant acted willfully. Barrell v. Holmes, 107 Or App 187 (1991). x. Evidence
of prior contempt convictions is generally not admissible.
1. This is because a contempt is not a felony and generally does not involve a
false statement.
OEC 609.
xi. Defendant has right to present evidence.
1. Defendant must have the opportunity to call witnesses and present evidence.
Brown and
Brown, 89 Or App 172 (1987).
xii. Limitation of issues.
1. When contempt is the sole issue before the court, the court cannot modify the
decree. State
ex rel Cover v. Cover, 85 Or App 178 (1985). The same is true for suspending or
abating a
support judgment. See In Re: Marriage of Ronnfeldt, 65 Or App 184 (1983).
xiii. Extra-territorial enforcement of restraining orders.
1. If a court issues a valid restraining order and the restraining order is
violated in another state,
the court has jurisdiction over a contempt proceeding for the out of state
violation. Pyle and
Pyle, 111 Or App 184 (1992). See also Bachman v. Bachman, 171 Or App 665 (2000)
(Has
jurisdiction over even punitive contempt if violated in another Oregon county).
2. If the party violating the court’s order has relocated to another state and
the other state has
UCCJEA juridiction, does the Oregon court have continuing juridiction to enforce
its original
order? See Kantola and Kantola, 10 Or App 266, 268-269 (1972) which has been
cited as
authority that the court does not have contempt jurisdiction over the relocating
party. over
Mother. Kantola was decided before Oregon’s adoption of the UCCJEA and more
specifically, the current UCCJEA (adopted 1999, Oregon Laws, Chapter 649).
Compare
with Medill and Medill, 179 Or App 630, 646 (2002), where the court held that
the original
jurisdiction court (Oregon) has continuing authority “***to enforce by contempt
proceedings
the only custody determination and parenting plan that currently exists.” The
Court of
Appeals found that the trial court erred in dismissing father’s motion to hold
mother in
contempt for violating existing custody determinations and the parenting plan,
notwithstanding that the court lacked modification jurisdiction.
i. Compelling Testimony of Witnesses.
i. A private litigant can compel the testimony of a witness as provided under
ORS 136.617. ORS
33.085(1).
ORS 33.085(1) references ORS 136.617. ORS 136.617 is a criminal procedure. It
lists the procedure
for compelling witnesses who might incriminate themselves by testifying in
criminal trials or in trials
over remedial or punitive contempt. Perhaps the added procedures are there
because contempt
proceedings are similar to criminal proceedings.
ii. If the person initiating the proceeding is not represented by a public
attorney they must serve a notice
of intent to compel testimony on the district attorney of the county where the
contempt proceeding is
pending and on the Attorney General. ORS 33.085(2).
iii. The notice shall be served not less than 14 calendar days before any
hearing on the motion to compel
testimony. ORS 33.085(3). 1. The notice shall include the witnesses name, date
of birth, residence address and social
security number, and other pending proceedings or criminal charges involving the
witness.
2. The notice shall also include the case name and number of the contempt
proceeding and the
date time and place set for any hearing scheduled as provided in ORS 136.617.
iv. Self-incrimination.
1. In State ex rel Leopold v. McCallister, 106 Or App 324 (1991) the court
upheld the
defendant’s assertion of his constitutional right against self-incrimination in
a remedial
contempt proceeding related to the non-payment of child support. The defendant’s
compelled testimony could subject him to criminal prosecution for Criminal
Nonsupport
under ORS 163.555(1).
j. Defenses.
i. Inability to comply.
1. Is an affirmative defense:
A. Inability to comply with an order of the court is an affirmative defense. ORS
33.055(10).
B. See also State v. Hill, 315 Or 452 (1992). Making inability to comply an
affirmative defense is constitutional even in a criminal contempt case.
C. In Clark and Clark, 171 Or. App 205 (200) once Wife had presented a prima
facie
case that Husband was in contempt Husband had burden of affirmatively showing
that he could not comply with order. Husband was supposed to pay off Wife’smortgage. It was Husband’s burden to show he did not have the money to pay.
2. Is a complete defense:
A. See State ex rel Fry v. Fry, 28 Or App 403 (1977).
B. No sanction should be imposed if parent has done the best he can to comply
with
a support obligation. State v. Francis, 126 Or 253, 265 (1928).
(1) Even if partial payment is made defendant can be guilty of contempt if he
could have paid more. State ex rel Wolf v. Wolf, 11 Or App 477 (1972);
State ex rel Mikkelsen v. Hill, 108 Or App 135 (1991).
In State ex rel Wolf v. Wolf, 11 Or. App. 477 (1972) Husband was ordered
to pay $300 in alimony per month. Husband’s income fell from $1200 to
$500 per month and husband stopped paying. Even though Husband
could not have afforded to pay $300 per month he could afford to pay
more than zero so he can be held in contempt.
In State ex rel Mikkelson v. Hill, 108 Or. App. 135 (1991) the trial court
found defendant in contempt for failure to make child support payments
of $150 per moth. Defendant listed his income at $100 per month. The
trial court observed that defendant was able bodied and could have made
more. Appeals court reversed holding that insufficient to hold defendant
as able to pay more and thus in contempt.
(2) Inability to comply cannot be self imposed. Even for religious reasons.
Berry and Berry, 95 Or App 433 (1989). In Berry, Father was ordered to
pay child support. Father did not make payments because he was in a
religious-group that forbids the support of nonmembers. Father was held
in contempt.
ii. Invalidity of order or decree.
1. If the underlying order is void for lack of jurisdiction the defendant cannot
be in contempt
of it. State v. Crenshaw, 307 Or 160 (1967).
2. However, if the underlying order is not yet void it must be obeyed until it
is vacated or
reversed. Oregon law is exceptionally clear that a party may obey a judgment,
even if theparty believes the judgment is wrong. A party may not unilaterally violate an
Oregon
Judgment. In Patchett and Patchett, 156 Or App 69, 72 (1998), the Court held:
“The integrity of the judicial process demands compliance with court orders
until such time
as they are altered by orderly appellate review. Litigants are not entitled to
sit in judgment
on their own cases, and they must follow the appropriate channels for review of
decisions
they believe to be invalid. Unless and until an invalid order is set aside, it
must be obeyed.”
See also Wilson and Wilson, 186 Or App 515 (2003), and State ex rel Mix v.
Newland, 277 Or 191, 200 (1977).
iii. Lack of merit of underlying order.
1. The merits of the underlying order usually cannot be challenged unless there
was no
opportunity to previously litigate the underlying order. State v. Crenshaw, 307
Or 160
(1967). State ex rel Mix v. Newland, 277 Or 191 (1977).
iv. Lack of knowledge of order or decree.
1. Defendant cannot be held in contempt if he had no knowledge of the order or
decree. State
ex rel Oregon State Bar v. Lenske, 243 Or 477 (1965).
2. Defendant cannot be held in contempt for violating a condition that was never
imposed by
the court. Harris and Harris, 199 Or App 300 (2005). Wife ordered to vacate
residence
upon receiving money from Husband. Wife vacated but didn’t inform husband.
Husband
had been subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with wife. Court of
Appeals
reversed trial court because wife was not ordered to inform husband when she
vacated.
v. Not willful.
1. In Patchett and Patchett, 156 Or App 69, 72 (1998), the court overturned the
trial court’s
finding of contempt where there was insufficient evidence to establish that wife
“acted
willfully to prevent husband’s corporation from reclaiming Skippy.” [A wallaby
which
escaped from his cage and disappeared]. Id. at 72. Husband testified he made
several
attempts to recover the animal but there was no evidence that “wife willfully
prevented
husband’s recovery of Skippy.” Id.
vi. Equitable estoppel.
1. A defendants good faith reliance upon a prior agreement will not bar a
contempt proceeding.
Wyllie and Wyllie, 95 Or App 109 (1989); Forrester and Forrester, 147 Or App 319
(1997).
So modifications should be made formally by court order before relied on.
vii. Choice of evils.
1. The contemptuous conduct must meet the qualifications of the “choice of
evils” defense as
set out in ORS 161.200.
A. This requires that the conduct is necessary as an emergency measure to avoid
an
imminent public or private injury. ORS 161.200(a).
viii. Bankruptcy?
1. A defendant probably cannot be found in contempt for discharging a court
imposed
obligation in bankruptcy, but the party harmed may be able to modify an existing
child or
spousal support order, citing an unanticipated change of circumstances, to meet
the new
financial obligation imposed. See In re Siragusa, 27 F.3rd 406 (9th Circuit,
1994); In
Dickson v. Dickson, 474 S.E. 2d 165 (Va. App. 1996); In Marden v. Marden, 546
N.W. 2d
25, 27 (Minn. App. 1996).
k. Judgment.
i. Form.
1. The imposition of a sanction for contempt shall be by a judgment. ORS
33.125(1).
A. A judgment is not an order. ORCP 67(A). Therefore, it should never be written
as
a “judgment order.” State v. Carrillo, 311 Or 61 (1991).
ii. Time for entry of judgment.
1. If sanctions granted before related proceeding finished.
A. If a motion to initiate proceedings to impose remedial sanctions is filed in
a related
proceeding under ORS 33.055(3) before entry of a judgment in the related
proceeding, and the court determines that the defendant is in contempt, the
court
may suspend imposition of sanctions and entry of judgment on the contempt until
entry of judgment in the related proceeding. ORS 33.125(3)(a).
2. If sanctions denied before related proceeding finished.
A. If a motion to initiate proceedings to impose remedial sanctions is filed in
a related
proceeding under ORS 33.055(3) before entry of judgment in the related
proceeding, and the court denies the motion or declines to impose sanctions, the
court shall enter judgment on that denial or determination only as part of the
judgment in the related proceeding. ORS 33.125(3)(b).
iii. Judgment must specify statutory basis for contempt.
1. Judgment is defective if it does not specify the statutory basis for the
contempt. Bonebrake
v. Eccles, 113 Or App 154 (1992). In Bonebrake the Court of Appeals held that
order
finding ex-husband in contempt and ordering payment of $200 fine was defective
because
it did not state statutory grounds that supported it or recite circumstances
that justified
penalty in excess of $100 fine.
iv. Judgment must include specific findings of fact.
1. Judgment is fatally defective if it does not include findings of fact.
Goldschmidt and
Goldschmidt, 86 Or App 610 (1987).
[Practice Suggestion: Requested ORCP 62 Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
at the outset of the hearing; better
yet, be prepared with proposed findings and conclusions for the court.]
l. Property Division.
i. Generally contempt proceedings cannot be used to enforce property divisions.
State ex rel Stirewalt
v. Stirewalt, 7 Or App 544 (1971).
[Practice Suggestion: The way around this is to get a court order directing a
party to perform a specific task at a specific
time and then undertake contempt proceedings if the order is not obeyed. Drake
and Drake, 36 Or App 53 (1978). For
example deliver piece of property X at X o’clock.]
m. Visitation Rights.
i. Court can use contempt to enforce visitation. Goldshmidt and Goldshmidt, 86
Or 610 (1987), but see
discussion re: alternative of parenting time enforcement. In Goldshmidt court
found that Wife could
be held in contempt for violation of visitation provisions regarding visitation
during holidays. But
Wife cannot be held in contempt for willful violation of the dissolution
judgment in regards to the first
major holiday. The judgment was not sufficiently specific about who was to
receive visitation on that
holiday.
n. Money Judgments Not for Support. [SEE ALSO MATERIALS, SECTION III -
“LIQUIDATING
DEBTS OBLIGATIONS TO MONEY JUDGMENTS]
i. Contempt cannot be used to enforce the payment of money unless it is for
support, maintenance,
nurture, education, or attorney fees, in:
1. Actions for dissolution or annulment of marriage or separation from bed and
board; or
2. Proceedings upon support orders entered under ORS Chapters 108, 109, or 110,
or under
ORS 416.400 to 416.470, 419B.400 or 419C.590. [ORCP 78C]
o. Contempt for Violation of Statutory Restraining Orders
ORS 107.093 is the mandatory statutory restraining order in dissolution and
separation proceedings
and is effective upon service. Until the 2007 amendment, it was uncertain
whether contempt was
available as an enforcement tool. The law is now clear and provides for a
remedial contempt sanction:
ORS 107.093(6) A party who violates a term of a restraining order issued under
this section is
subject to imposition of remedial sanctions under ORS 33.055 based on the
violation, but is notsubject to:
(a) Criminal prosecution based on the violation; or
(b) Imposition of punitive sanctions under ORS 33.065 based on the violation.
[2003 c.414 §2;
2007 c.22 §3]
[Practice Suggestion: Where there is a risk of violation and financial or other
loss due to conversion of specific (or
unusual) protected assets, also obtain ex parte and serve a formal and detailed
retraining order.]