What is the classification of willfully disobeying a court order?

Willfully disobeying a court order is classified as a misdemeanor because it involves a violation of a legal directive issued by a court, and this type of offense typically carries penalties that are less severe than those associated with felonies. Misdemeanors may result in fines, community service, or imprisonment for up to one year in a county jail. The intent behind this classification is to ensure compliance with the court's authority while recognizing that such disobedience, while serious, does not reach the level of more harmful crimes that would warrant felony charges.

The other classifications, such as a felony, involve more serious crimes that can lead to longer sentences and more significant consequences, which are not applicable in this scenario. Wobblers are offenses that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances, but willful disobedience of a court order is more straightforwardly categorized. Infractions are typically minor violations, often resulting in fines without the possibility of jail time, which does not accurately reflect the nature of willfully disobeying a court order.