A Trial Court's Contempt Power Of Contempt

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The standard of review for both of the issues in this appeal is de novo. We explain below why that is so.
A trial court’s contempt power is an inherent constitutional power, see Walker v. Bentley, 660 So. 2d 313, 317-318 (Fla. 2d DCA 1995), which must be wielded carefully and with restraint. See Moakley v. Smallwood, 826 So. 2d 221, 227 (Fla. 2002) (“the power of contempt, carries with it the obligation of restrained use and due process”). Thus, to the extent that contempt involves the application of judicial discretion, this Court reviews an order of contempt under the abuse of discretion standard. See Merrill Lynch Trust Co. v. Alzheimer’s Lifeliners Ass’n, Inc., 832 So. 2d 948, 953 (Fla. 2d DCA 2002) (quoting Northstar Invs. & Dev., Inc.

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