Legal Definitions - interim committitur

An interim committitur is a temporary court order that directs a defendant or other individual to be held in custody, typically in jail, while the court awaits further developments or makes a final decision in their case. It is an order for immediate, temporary incarceration pending a subsequent legal action or resolution.

• Example 1: Bail Revocation
  Imagine a defendant, Mr. Smith, who was released on bail pending his trial for a non-violent offense. A condition of his bail was that he not contact the victim. However, the prosecution later presents evidence that Mr. Smith repeatedly called the victim. The judge, upon reviewing this evidence, might issue an interim committitur, ordering Mr. Smith to be immediately taken into custody. This temporary incarceration would last until a formal bail revocation hearing can be scheduled and held, where the court will decide whether to permanently revoke his bail or reinstate it with new conditions.

• Example 2: Civil Contempt of Court
  Consider a contentious divorce case where Ms. Davis has been repeatedly ordered by the court to provide specific financial documents to her estranged husband's legal team. Despite multiple warnings and deadlines, she continues to refuse. To compel her compliance and underscore the seriousness of defying a court order, the judge might issue an interim committitur. This would result in Ms. Davis being held in jail until she either produces the required documents or a full contempt hearing can be conducted to determine a more permanent sanction.

• Example 3: Post-Verdict, Pre-Sentencing Detention
  Suppose a jury has just delivered a guilty verdict against Mr. Johnson for a serious felony. Although he was out on bail during the trial, the judge now has concerns about Mr. Johnson being a flight risk or a danger to the community given the conviction. Rather than allowing him to remain free until the sentencing hearing, which might be weeks or months away, the judge could issue an interim committitur. This order would direct that Mr. Johnson be immediately remanded into custody, ensuring his presence for the upcoming sentencing and preventing any potential harm or flight during the interim period.