Court Would Fix Contempt Penalty

If Lt. Col. Oliver L. North were cited for contempt of Congress, his penalty would be decided by a federal court, whose judgment would depend on whether he is charged with criminal or civil contempt.

Congress, which does not itself enforce contempt citations, refers them to the office of the U.S. attorney, which in turn argues the congressional position in the courts.

Under criminal contempt, the maximum penalty is a $1,000 fine and one year in jail. Under civil contempt, the judge is empowered to impose any penalty he believes will result in compliance--usually a daily fine or confinement in jail.

A person can be held in contempt by both the House and Senate, or by either body individually. The rules of the House, however, do not provide for civil contempt.