Opinion ID: 2731235
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Imposition of a Civil Penalty

Text: [¶19] Jackson argues that the court exceeded its authority by imposing a monetary penalty on him in the absence of a pending motion for contempt. The court’s authority to impose a civil monetary penalty upon Jackson is an issue of law that we review de novo. See Toomey v. Town of Frye Island, 2008 ME 44, ¶ 8, 943 A.2d 563 (“Questions of law are reviewed de novo.”). [¶20] There are only two methods by which a trial court in a family matter may impose a civil penalty against a party. First, the court may assess a civil penalty for noncompliance with a parental rights and responsibilities order upon motion and a finding that the party is in contempt. See 19-A M.R.S. § 1653(7)(C) (2013)5; M.R. Civ. P. 66(c). Second, the court may impose a civil penalty for contempt committed in the court’s presence. M.R. Civ. P. 66(b). Here, a motion 5 Title 19-A M.R.S. § 1653(7) (2013) provides: 7. Violation of order concerning parental rights and responsibilities and contact. Either parent may petition the court for a hearing on the issue of noncompliance with the order issued under subsection 2. If the court finds that a parent has violated a part of the order, the court may find that parent in contempt and may: A. Require additional or more specific terms and conditions consistent with the order; B. Order that additional visitation be provided for a parent to take the place of visitation that was wrongfully denied; or C. Order a parent found in contempt to pay a forfeiture of at least $100. 10 for contempt had been filed, but it had been resolved by the August 2013 order as later amended. Because no motion for contempt was pending at the November 2013 hearing, there was no procedure under which the court could validly enter a contempt finding. Therefore, the court lacked authority to impose the civil penalty.