Does Contempt of Court Go on Your Record: Civil vs. Criminal Contempt & Background Checks
Contempt of court is one of the most misunderstood entries in court records. When people ask whether contempt goes 'on your record,' the answer depends critically on what type of contempt it was - civil or criminal - and how the court processed it. Civil contempt and criminal contempt are fundamentally different: one is a coercive tool to enforce compliance, the other is a punitive finding that can result in a criminal record.
By Anthony WillEst. 2013Published May 27, 2026Read time: 10 min
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The distinction between civil and criminal contempt determines nearly everything about whether the finding becomes a permanent record, appears on background checks, or can be expunged. According to the Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute's definition of contempt, the two types operate differently: civil contempt is remedial (meant to coerce compliance), while criminal contempt is punitive (meant to punish past defiance). Courts apply different procedural protections depending on which type is charged.
Civil Contempt
Civil contempt is used to coerce compliance with a court order - for example, failing to pay child support, ignoring a subpoena, or violating a restraining order. The purpose is to compel behavior, not punish. Learn more about expungement vs. record sealing on our blog.
Does not create a criminal conviction
The finding is typically part of the underlying civil or family court case record
Is not typically reportable as a criminal offense on background checks
Confinement for civil contempt ends when the person complies ("the keys are in your pocket")
Important: Even though civil contempt is not a criminal conviction, the underlying case record - including the contempt finding - remains publicly accessible through court portals and may be indexed by data broker sites under your name. Learn how to remove these records at our guide on court record removal.
Criminal Contempt
Criminal contempt is punitive - it punishes past conduct that defied the court's authority. Unlike civil contempt, it carries full criminal procedural protections and can result in a permanent criminal record.
Can result in a criminal conviction with fines or imprisonment
May appear on criminal background checks depending on how it was charged and processed
Are prosecuted like criminal offenses with due process protections
Can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on severity
How Contempt Appears on Background Checks
Criminal contempt convictions may appear in criminal background checks as misdemeanor or felony convictions - the same as any other criminal offense. Civil contempt findings, being part of the underlying civil or family court case, are not typically reported as criminal offenses but may appear in comprehensive civil record searches. The key question is whether the contempt resulted in a criminal conviction - not just a civil finding.
The United States Courts publishes guidelines for how federal court records - including contempt proceedings - are maintained and made publicly accessible through PACER and other federal systems. State court contempt proceedings follow state-specific rules on public access, which vary significantly. See our full guide on court records on background checks to understand how these records flow into consumer background check databases.
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Criminal contempt convictions may be eligible for expungement under state law, depending on how they were classified (misdemeanor vs. felony) and your state's expungement statutes. The Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute's contempt entry provides a clear overview of how courts classify contempt proceedings - which directly affects whether expungement is available under criminal statutes.
Civil contempt findings are part of the underlying civil or family court record - expungement of those records follows the rules for that type of case (civil judgments are generally not expungeable; family court records vary by state). Even when expungement is not available, online removal is still an option: data broker sites and background check aggregators that have published contempt findings can be asked to remove them through opt-out requests and FCRA dispute processes, regardless of whether expungement is in play. See our guide on court record removal vs. expungement for the full comparison.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does contempt of court go on your criminal record?
It depends on whether it was civil or criminal contempt. Criminal contempt - prosecuted as a punitive matter - can result in a criminal conviction that appears on background checks. Civil contempt - used to coerce compliance with a court order - creates a finding in the civil or family court record but is not typically a criminal conviction. If you were held in criminal contempt and convicted, that conviction may appear on criminal background checks.
What is the difference between civil and criminal contempt?
Civil contempt is coercive - its purpose is to compel compliance with a court order (pay child support, produce documents, follow an injunction). You are released when you comply. Criminal contempt is punitive - it punishes past disrespect for court authority regardless of future compliance. Criminal contempt is prosecuted like a criminal offense with due process protections and can result in a criminal conviction with a permanent record.
Can contempt of court be expunged?
Criminal contempt convictions may be eligible for expungement under your state's expungement statutes, depending on how they were charged (misdemeanor or felony) and whether you meet eligibility requirements. Civil contempt findings, being part of civil or family court records, follow the expungement rules for those case types - which vary by state and type of civil proceeding.
Does contempt of court affect employment?
Criminal contempt convictions can affect employment in the same way other criminal convictions do - they appear in criminal background checks and must be disclosed when asked. Civil contempt findings generally do not appear in criminal background checks, though comprehensive civil record searches may reveal them. Family court contempt findings (such as for child support violations) are typically not reportable as criminal offenses.
How long does contempt of court stay on record?
Criminal contempt convictions remain in criminal records indefinitely unless expunged. Civil contempt findings remain part of the underlying case file as long as the court maintains that file - typically for years or decades. Neither type of contempt has an automatic expiration in most jurisdictions. Expungement of a criminal contempt conviction would follow standard expungement procedures for the offense class (misdemeanor or felony).
Will a civil contempt finding show up when someone Googles my name?
Potentially yes. Even though civil contempt is not a criminal conviction, the underlying case - which includes the contempt finding - is part of the public court record in most states. Court portal search systems index case participants by name, and data broker sites aggregate this information into public profiles. If someone searches your name, the case (and the contempt finding within it) may appear. Removing it requires targeting the specific platforms that have indexed it - court portals, data broker sites, and Google - through a coordinated removal strategy.
Can a contempt finding affect a professional license or security clearance?
Criminal contempt convictions can affect professional licenses and security clearances the same way other criminal convictions do - they are typically required to be disclosed and may be reviewed by licensing boards. Civil contempt findings (such as for non-payment of child support or violating a restraining order) may also be reviewed in security clearance investigations, particularly when they relate to financial responsibility or patterns of behavior. The significance depends on the nature of the contempt finding, the recency, and the type of license or clearance being sought.
How do I remove a contempt of court finding from Google search results?
Start by identifying where the contempt finding is appearing - court portal search results, data broker profiles, or news coverage. For data broker sites (Spokeo, BeenVerified, etc.), submit opt-out requests directly to each platform. For court portal pages, contact the clerk's office to confirm what is publicly accessible and whether sealing of specific documents is possible. For Google, use the Personal Information Removal Tool or submit a de-indexing request once the underlying page has been updated or removed. Because civil contempt findings live within the broader case file, removal strategy often targets the case entry rather than the contempt finding specifically.