Opinion ID: 2551946
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Opportunity for Cross-Examination

Text: [¶ 11] Because Jusseaume did not alert the court that it had neglected to afford her the opportunity to present questions to Ducatt, we review this unpreserved issue for obvious error. See In re Anthony R., 2010 ME 4, ¶¶ 8-9, 987 A.2d 532, 534. Error is obvious if it is a seriously prejudicial error tending to produce manifest injustice. Tibbetts v. Dairyland Ins. Co., 2010 ME 61, ¶ 10, 999 A.2d 930, 933 (quotation marks omitted). [¶ 12] When significant rights are at stake, due process requires: notice of the issues, an opportunity to be heard, the right to introduce evidence and present witnesses, the right to respond to claims and evidence, and an impartial fact-finder. GENUJO LOK Beteiligungs GmbH v. Zorn, 2008 ME 50, ¶ 18, 943 A.2d 573, 579. Because due process guarantees the right to respond to evidence, an adjudicator must afford a party the opportunity to rebut or challenge evidence offered against him or her. See In re Dustin C., 2008 ME 89, ¶ 7, 952 A.2d 993, 995 (holding that a mother in a child protection proceeding was afforded due process when she had notice of a hearing, was represented by counsel, and was given the opportunity to rebut evidence); Balian v. Bd. of Licensure in Med., 1999 ME 8, ¶¶ 8, 12, 722 A.2d 364, 366, 367 (upholding the right of a licensee to have notice of a standard of professional conduct so that the licensee would have an opportunity to rebut the evidence against him). [¶ 13] A party may challenge opposing evidence by exercising the right to cross-examine adverse witnesses, an opportunity that is constitutionally required in `almost every setting where important decisions turn on questions of fact.' In re Maine Clean Fuels, Inc., 310 A.2d 736, 746 (Me.1973) (quoting Goldberg v. Kelly, 397 U.S. 254, 269, 90 S.Ct. 1011, 25 L.Ed.2d 287 (1970)); see U.S. Const. amend. XIV (Due Process Clause), § 1; Me. Const. art. 1, § 6-A (Due Process Clause). We have long recognized the fundamental importance, in civil trials, of testing the reliability of testimony through examination in open court. See In re Will of Paradis, 147 Me. 347, 363, 87 A.2d 512, 520 (1952) (All the evidence presented in litigated cases must be sworn testimony, and must be so presented as to give the parties to whom it is adverse the opportunity for cross-examination.); see also M.R. Civ. P. 43(i) (providing for both the direct examination and cross-examination of witnesses). [5] [¶ 14] Although the court allowed Ducatt to cross-examine Jusseaume, it did not offer Jusseaume the same opportunity to cross-examine Ducatt. Nor did the court offer Jusseaume the opportunity to present testimony or evidence to rebut Ducatt's testimony, as an alternative to cross-examination. Jusseaume was entitled to have the opportunity to challenge Ducatt's testimony through such cross-examination or responsive testimony. Because she did not have that opportunity, Ducatt was not pressed to explain how he became aware of Jusseaume's address or whether he had been physically present near her house. It is possible that, if Jusseaume had been allowed to cross-examine Ducatt or offer evidence in rebuttal, the court would have learned of additional or different conduct that might have affected its findings or credibility determinations. [¶ 15] The court's decision to enter judgment without first affording Jusseaume the opportunity to present questions to Ducatt or offer rebuttal evidence was not a harmless error. [6] See M.R. Civ. P. 61. Rather, this error satisfied the obvious error standard because it seriously prejudiced Jusseaume's case and was manifestly unjust. See Tibbetts, 2010 ME 61, ¶ 10, 999 A.2d at 933. Accordingly, we must vacate the judgment and remand the matter for a new hearing.