Sanctions
Penalties imposed by a court for misconduct, rule violations, discovery abuse, or frivolous filings.
Governing rule: Fed. R. Civ. P. 11, 37
Plain-English definition
Sanctions are the court’s enforcement tools. They can range from fee-shifting and warnings to evidence limits, adverse inferences, dismissal, default judgment, or contempt. The sanction depends on the rule violated, the harm caused, and the party’s culpability.
How it works
Sanctions can be requested by motion or imposed by the court. Discovery sanctions often require a prior order or proof that a party failed to meet discovery obligations.
Why it matters
Sanctions can change the outcome without a trial. They also reveal when a case has moved from ordinary advocacy into misconduct territory.