Opinion ID: 2599089
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Alleged Due Process Violation

Text: On appeal, Ostendorp argues that the circuit court violated his right to due process because he neither received notice of nor was provided an opportunity to prepare a meaningful defense to the sanction order. Regarding procedural due process, this court has stated: Due process is not a fixed concept requiring a specific procedural course in every situation. Rather, due process is flexible and calls for such procedural protections as the particular situation demands. The basic elements of procedural due process of law require notice and an opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner. Fujimoto v. Au, 95 Hawai`i 116, 164, 19 P.3d 699, 747 (2001) (quoting Bank of Hawai`i v. Kunimoto, 91 Hawai`i 372, 388, 984 P.2d 1198, 1214 (1999) (internal citations omitted)). Specifically, Ostendorp claims that, prior to the October 18, 1999 continued hearing on the Rule 15 sanctions, the circuit court did not inform [Ostendorp] and his counsel that it was not proceeding under its contempt powers but under its inherent authority and [RCCH Rule 15(b)]. At that point, [Ostendorp's] counsel had already submitted a memorandum opposing sanctions focusing on procedural requirements of contempt. Ostendorp further claims that [he] and his counsel had no notice of nor an opportunity to prepare a meaningful defense to sanctions under the court's inherent authority and [RCCH Rule 15(b)]. Ostendorp clearly misrepresents the record. At the September 16, 1999 hearing, the circuit court explained that the purpose of the hearing was to ascertain whether Ostendorp should be sanctioned pursuant to RCCH Rule 15 and the court's inherent authority for failing to appear at trial on September 7, 1999, stating: [Y]ou may argue why, now, the Court, under its inherent authority, as well [as] its authority under the [sic] Rule 15 of the Circuit Court Rules should not impose these sanctions against Mr. Ostendorp for not appearing, which resulted in the jurors being excused ... without the jury trial going forward. At Ostendorp's request, the September 16, 1999 hearing was continued to October 18, 1999, and the court ordered the parties to submit legal memoranda in support of their positions no later than October 11, 1999. Thus, Ostendorp clearly had an opportunity to submit a memorandum after the circuit court expressly stated that it was proceeding under RCCH Rule 15 and its inherent power. Additionally, on October 11, 1999, Ostendorp did in fact file a memorandum in opposition to the imposition of sanctions. Contrary to Ostendorp's assertions on appeal, his memorandum acknowledged that the circuit court informed him that it was proceeding under RCCH Rule 15 and does not cite any statutes or case law pertaining to contempt. Finally, at the October 18, 1999 hearing, Ostendorp demonstrated his awareness of the nature of the proceedings when he argued that sanctions were inappropriate because Roberts appeared in his place. Accordingly, in the present case, Ostendorp clearly had notice of the proceedings against him and he was given an opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner. We, therefore, hold that the circuit court did not violate Ostendorp's right to due process before sanctioning him.