N.Y. Judiciary Law Section 772
Punishment upon return of application

Upon the return of an application to punish for contempt, the questions which arise must be determined, as upon any other motion; and, if the determination is to the effect specified in section seven hundred and seventy, the order thereupon must be to the same effect as the final order therein prescribed. Except as hereinafter provided, the offender may be committed upon a certified copy of the order so made, without further process. Where the commitment is ordered to punish an offense committed with respect to an enforcement procedure under the civil practice law and rules or pursuant to Domestic Relations Law § 245 (Enforcement by contempt proceedings of judgment or order in action for divorce, separation or annulment)section two hundred forty-five of the domestic relations law, and the defendant has not appeared upon the return of the application, the final order directing punishment and commitment of the offender shall include a provision granting him leave to purge himself of the contempt within ten days after personal service of the order by performance of the act or duty the omission of which constitutes the misconduct for which he is to be punished, and the act or duty to be performed shall be specified in the order. Upon a certified copy of the order, together with proof by affidavit that more than ten days have elapsed since personal service thereof upon the offender, and that the act or duty specified has not been performed, the court may issue without notice a warrant directed to the sheriff or other enforcement officer of any jurisdiction in which the offender may be found. The warrant shall command such officer to arrest the offender forthwith and bring him before the court, or a judge thereof, to be committed or for such further disposition as the court in its discretion shall direct.

Source: Section 772 — Punishment upon return of application, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/JUD/772 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 31, 2026).

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Verified:
Jan. 31, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 772. Punishment upon return of application's source at nysenate​.gov

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