Lawyers Without Billboards
Real lawyers, real talk—without the billboards. Lawyers Without Billboards is an unfiltered look at family law, hosted by the partners of Shewmaker & Lewis: Steve and Patty Shewmaker, and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis.
With decades of experience in divorce, custody battles, child support, alimony, and criminal law, they break down legal myths, share expert insights, and dive into real cases (sometimes with a side of humor).
Expect candid conversations, legal deep dives, and the occasional sidebar on pop culture, legal movies, and life as family law attorneys. Whether you're navigating a family law issue, practicing law yourself, or just enjoy courtroom drama, this podcast offers valuable insights with a dose of levity.
New episodes every two weeks
Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts!
Lawyers Without Billboards
Contempt of Court: What it Means. How it Works. | Lawyers Without Billboards - Ep 36
What does it really mean to be held in contempt of court?
In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down one of the most misunderstood parts of family law - contempt.
From unpaid child support to denied visitation and even showing up late with the kids, the team explains when a judge might send someone to jail, when a simple fine will do, and how lawyers can defend (or prove) a contempt case.
You’ll hear real-world examples, courtroom stories, and practical advice about the difference between civil vs. criminal contempt, hard vs. nebulous contempts, and the kinds of mistakes that drive judges crazy.
🕒 Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
00:46 – What is Contempt of Court?
02:06 – Civil vs. Criminal Contempt
03:21 – Real-Life Case: Jail for Unpaid Payments
04:55 – Hard, Nebulous & “Bull****” Contempts
07:10 – Attorney’s Fees & Defenses
09:04 – The “Unclean Hands” Argument
12:01 – Willful vs. Accidental Violations
13:18 – Keeping Records & Building Evidence
15:41 – Parenting Time and Denial of Visitation
18:10 – What Judges Really Think of Contempts
21:00 – Interest, Sanctions & Money Judgments
25:10 – Letters, Compliance, and Fixing It Before Court
27:00 – Why Contempt Cases Can Backfire
30:20 – Final Thoughts: Fix It, Don’t Fight It
📌 Key Takeaways:
- Civil contempt seeks compliance — criminal contempt punishes.
- “Hard” contempts (like unpaid support) are easier to prove than nebulous ones.
- Judges hate petty contempt cases — bring clear evidence and good faith.
- The best defense: show effort, ability limits, or unclean hands.
- Keep a journal of violations to build a solid case later.
Lawyers Without Billboards is hosted by Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, and Alexa Lewis, partners at Shewmaker & Lewis — a family law firm based in Atlanta, Georgia.
📩 Contact: jlewis@shewmakerandlewis.com
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com
🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards
📺 Subscribe for new episodes and candid conversations about family law, custody, and criminal defense.
🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA