What are the enhanced penalties for a second contempt offense?
In many cases, contempt charges are filed routinely and become a way of life for divorced spouses. There is an enhanced penalty for a second domestic violence contempt offense. A person found guilty of a second domestic violence charge must serve a thirty-day jail term. The thirty-day jail term is mandatory, and it is not discretionary. The best defense for a second contempt offense is to emphasize that “you can’t kill the goose who lays the golden egg.” Unfortunately, after a bitter divorce many people are simply emotionally destroyed. They can’t control their anger, rage, and disappointment. In my opinion, the courts should incorporate more family counseling and therapy to address domestic violence offenses and contempt charges. I always try to emphasize to a former wife who is filing a contempt charge for a second offense, that her former husband will lose his job if he is convicted. I will further explain to the former wife that a conviction for a second offense carries a mandatory
