Opinion ID: 2258843
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Misrepresentation of Paternity

Text: Edward contends that the trial court abused its discretion in requiring him to appear in Maine for a deposition and in dismissing his complaint for misrepresentation of paternity when he failed to comply with this discovery order. Because the case before us presents some unique circumstances that taint the court's exercise of discretion, we vacate the order of dismissal. We review a trial court's dismissal of a complaint pursuant to M.R.Civ.P. 37 for abuse of discretion. Hatch v. Maine Tank Co., Inc., 666 A.2d 90, 93 (Me.1995). Rule 37(b)(2) allows a court in which an action is pending to sanction a party who fails to obey an order to provide or permit discovery. The rule specifically allows the court to issue [a]n order ... dismissing the action or proceeding or any part thereof, or rendering a judgment by default against the disobedient party. M.R.Civ.P. 37(b)(2)(C). The record reflects that during the hearing on the discovery dispute between the parties, Edward's attorney presented an oral motion to allow Edward's deposition to be taken in New Hampshire due to the outstanding contempt order in CV-95-57. [7] When the Superior Court (Franklin County, Perkins, J. ) ordered Judith and Edward to make themselves available for a deposition in Farmington within thirty days of the order, Edward filed a motion to reconsider the discovery order on the ground that Judith's attorney threatened to have the sheriff waiting for him when he concluded his deposition and threatened to have him committed to the Franklin County Jail for sixty days pursuant to the contempt order in CV-95-57. Edward's motion to reconsider requested the court to extend the time within which the parties must present themselves for depositions until thirty days after the court ruled on a pending motion in CV-95-57 for a stay of execution of the contempt order. The Superior Court (Franklin County, Perkins, J. ) denied Edward's motion without comment. When Edward failed to appear in Farmington for a deposition, Judith filed a motion for sanctions pursuant to M.R.Civ.P. 37(b)(2)(C). Thereafter, on the same day that the District Court's civil contempt judgment was affirmed, the Superior Court (Franklin County, Alexander, J. ) dismissed Edward's action for failure to appear in Farmington for his deposition. The court apparently decided that Edward's concern about an unlawful order of commitment did not justify his noncompliance with the discovery order. Had the court recognized that Edward was threatened with commitment on an unlawful order, it may have exercised discretion in a different manner. Accordingly, we vacate the dismissal of CV-95-79 and remand for reconsideration in view of our decision in CV-95-57. Edward's remaining contentions do not merit discussion. The entry is: In CV-95-79, judgment vacated. Remanded to the Superior Court for further proceedings consistent with the opinion herein. In CV-95-57, judgment vacated. Remanded with instruction to vacate the order of commitment entered in Docket No. 87-DV-116 and for further proceedings consistent with the opinion herein. All concurring.