CA AB2338

Permits courts to grant probation or conditional sentences in lieu of imprisonment or community service for parties found in contempt of Family Code court orders, replacing the mandatory sentencing requirement.

Probation or conditional sentence periods may not exceed one year for a first contempt finding, two years for a second finding, and three years for a third or subsequent finding.

Maintains existing contempt penalties including fines up to $1,000, imprisonment up to five days, and attorney's fees for the prevailing party.

Preserves existing mandatory community service and imprisonment requirements for Family Code contempt: up to 120 hours for first offense, 120 hours community service plus 120 hours imprisonment for second offense, and 240 hours of each for third or subsequent offenses.

Allows district attorneys or city attorneys to pursue contempt actions against parties violating Domestic Violence Protection Act court orders, with any ordered attorney's fees paid to domestic violence shelter service providers.