New York Law (NYLE) Practice Exam

What consequence can occur if an order of protection is violated?

1. A judge may order community service.

2. A judge may impose a finding of contempt, possibly leading to incarceration.

3. A judge may dismiss the order without consequence.

4. A judge may mandate anger management classes.

The correct answer is: A judge may impose a finding of contempt, possibly leading to incarceration.

When an order of protection is violated, one of the significant consequences is that a judge may impose a finding of contempt. This legal finding indicates that the individual has failed to comply with the terms of the order, which can result in various penalties, including the possibility of incarceration. The purpose of an order of protection is to safeguard individuals from harassment, abuse, or threats, and any violation undermines this protective intent. Thus, courts take such violations seriously and often respond with stringent measures to uphold the order and deter future violations. In contrast, the other consequences listed, such as community service or anger management classes, are generally not automatic outcomes of violating an order of protection. While judges do have some discretion in determining appropriate penalties, findings of contempt are specifically meant to address noncompliance with court orders. Dismissing the order without consequence does not reflect the serious nature of a violation, as it would allow the violator to evade accountability for their actions.