Opinion ID: 1833552
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: whether service of the motion for contempt was sufficient.

Text: ¶ 13. In contempt proceedings, [c]omplete absence of service of process offends due process and cannot be waived. Mansour v. Charmax Indus., Inc., 680 So.2d 852, 855 (Miss.1996) (citing Edwards v. James, 453 So.2d 684, 686 (Miss.1984)). There is no doubt that David's right to proper notice was violated. In a matter involving criminal contempt, the defendant must be served in accordance with M.R.C.P. 81, which requires that a summons be issued. See, e.g., Powell v. Powell, 644 So.2d 269, 273-74 (Miss. 1994) (discussion of Rule 81's applicability to contempt charges in domestic proceedings). Although David's attorney received a copy of the motion for criminal contempt and a notice of the hearing, no summons was issued, and the motion and notice were not served upon David.