Opinion ID: 1784419
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Whether requiring Rusty to submit to DNA testing is a violation of his Constitutional right against unreasonable search and seizure under the United States and Mississippi Constitutions.

Text: ¶ 9. The standard of review for Constitutional issues is de novo. Baker v. State, 802 So.2d 77, 80 (Miss.2001). Likewise, the standard of review for constitutionality of Mississippi statutes is also de novo. Austin v. Wells, 919 So.2d 961, 964 (Miss.2006). ¶ 10. The trial court held that, if the DNA tests of Wendy and the child indicate a probability of paternity for Hank, then Rusty must also submit to DNA testing. Rusty asserts in his brief that requiring him to submit to DNA testing is an unreasonable search and seizure under the United States and Mississippi Constitutions, but cites no law that supports this contention. Additionally, Rusty claims there are no provisions in our Uniform Law on Paternity, codified in Miss. Code Ann. Sections 93-9-1 through 93-9-49, which would allow for him to be compelled to submit to DNA testing under the circumstances in the present case. ¶ 11. The court order requiring Rusty to submit to testing is not absolute; instead, it is dependent on the outcome of Hank's results. The order states: It is further ordered that if the results of the testing of the Plaintiff shall exclude his paternity no further testing shall be conducted. If the results of the testing of the Plaintiff shall indicate a probability of paternity for Plaintiff, it is further ordered that Reliagene shall draw a genetic sample from the Defendant William Russell Thoms and determine the probability of William Russell Thoms. There is a distinct possibility that Rusty may never be required to undergo genetic testing. Thus this issue is premature and not ripe for appellate review, and we decline to address it today. ¶ 12. On remand, the testing of Hank, the mother and the child may be conducted. However, should the results indicate, as stated in the trial court order, a probability of paternity for Hank, Rusty may develop the constitutionality issue before the trial court.