ARS 13-820: Contempt proceedings
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-820 on contempt proceedings, and how this section is used in Arizona criminal cases. It defines terms and procedure rather than creating an offense.
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Full Text of A.R.S. § 13-820
A.R.S. § 13-820 is the Arizona statute on contempt proceedings. It sets out procedure and rules rather than defining an offense, so no offense class or sentence attaches to this section on its own.
If the garnishee fails to comply with the terms of the order of criminal garnishment within thirty days after receiving the order, the victim or the court, the clerk of the court or the prosecuting attorney may petition the court for an order to show cause why the garnishee should not be held in contempt. If the court finds that the failure was wilful or the result of gross negligence, the court shall find the garnishee in contempt and shall award the petitioner reasonable attorney fees, costs and an additional penalty of not more than five hundred dollars.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-820, Arizona Legislative Council revision of 09/19/25. Read the official text on azleg.gov. Statutes change; verify the current version before relying on it.
How § 13-820 Affects an Arizona Case
§ 13-820 usually matters because of how it interacts with the charge someone is actually facing. We read it alongside the charging statute, because a definition or a procedural rule frequently decides what the State must prove, what a judge may impose, or what relief is available afterward.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is A.R.S. § 13-820?
A.R.S. § 13-820 is the Arizona statute on contempt proceedings. It sets out rules that apply across Arizona criminal cases rather than defining a single offense.
Where can I read the official text of § 13-820?
The Arizona Legislature publishes it at azleg.gov, in the revision dated 09/19/25. The complete text is reproduced on this page, and every Arizona criminal statute is searchable on our Arizona Criminal Code index.
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