What term describes a court-imposed penalty for failure to comply with discovery?

• A. Dismissal
• B. Contempt
• C. Sanctions
• D. Adjournment

Answer: (C)

Focus on the enforcement mechanism for discovery abuses: when a party fails to comply with discovery orders, the court can impose penalties to compel compliance and deter future violations. That broad category is called sanctions. It encompasses a range of penalties, from orders to compel production and monetary fines to more drastic measures like dismissing claims if the violation is serious. Contempt is a separate remedy tied to willful disobedience of a court order, not the general label for discovery penalties. Dismissal is one possible sanction, but it’s one specific outcome rather than the general term. An adjournment merely delays proceedings and isn’t a penalty for discovery issues. So the right term is sanctions.