(1)
The judge presiding in an action or proceeding may summarily
impose either a remedial or punitive sanction authorized by this
chapter upon a person who commits a contempt of court within the
courtroom if the judge certifies that he or she saw or heard the
contempt. The judge shall impose the sanctions immediately after
the contempt of court or at the end of the proceeding and only
for the purpose of preserving order in the court and protecting
the authority and dignity of the court. The person committing
the contempt of court shall be given an opportunity to speak in
mitigation of the contempt unless compelling circumstances demand
otherwise. The order of contempt shall recite the facts, state
the sanctions imposed, and be signed by the judge and entered on
the record.
(2) A court, after a finding of contempt of court in a
proceeding under subsection (1) of this section may impose for
each separate contempt of court a punitive sanction of a fine of
not more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more
than thirty days, or both, or a remedial sanction set forth in
RCW 7.21.030(2). A forfeiture imposed as a remedial sanction
under this subsection may not exceed more than five hundred
dollars for each day the contempt continues.
[2009 c 37 § 2; 1989 c 373 § 5.]