Opinion ID: 1491821
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sandi Doherty's appeal from the contempt order.

Text: As with DHS, Doherty also argues that the trial court erred in finding her in contempt in that the September 30 order was indefinite as to any obligations imposed upon her individually, and that she never received sufficient notice of the show cause hearing. While it is true that Doherty is not named in the September 30 order, we have no hesitation in holding that the order was in definite terms as to the duties imposed upon Doherty, and the command was express rather than implied. See Henry v. Eberhard, 309 Ark. 336, 832 S.W.2d 467 (1992); Gruber, supra . The evidence clearly shows that Doherty had knowledge of the September 30 order, and that she specifically instructed her subordinate not to pay the bills with DHS funds. Water and electricity were not provided to the P. home until late November. One who has full knowledge of a court order and its import cannot flout it with impunity. See Gruber, supra . Doherty also argues that the contempt finding should be reversed because she did not receive adequate notice of the show-cause hearing. She primarily chooses to emphasize the fact that she was not personally served with the show-cause order for the hearing on December 11. An affidavit from an officer with the White County Sheriff's office shows that he served a subpoena on Doherty by telephone, and that he explained the subpoena to her and told her the court date. Doherty reasons that she was never personally served, and thus the trial court never obtained personal jurisdiction over her. Again, we reiterate that this was a criminal contempt proceeding to which the service provisions of the rules of civil procedure do not apply. We also reject Doherty's intimation that this situation is governed by the rule governing service of a criminal summons, Ark. R.Crim. P. 6.3. Instead, the governing provision is Arkanasas Code Annotated § 16-10-108, which sets forth the court's power to punish for criminal contempt and provides in part that the party charged shall be notified of the accusation and shall have a reasonable time to make his defense. Moreover, the Due Process Clause requires that an alleged contemnor be given notice of the charge of contempt pending against him and be informed of the specific nature of the charge. See Fitzhugh v. State, supra . Under the particular facts of this case, we hold that Doherty had notice of the accusation that otherwise comported with the requirements of section 16-10-108 and due process of law. She was personally served with the first show-cause order for the hearing on November 21. Although this order did not describe the offense or the order that was violated, Doherty was present at that hearing where the contempt matter was discussed. Additionally, she was informed by telephone of the date of the December 11 show-cause hearing. Given these facts, Doherty obviously had actual notice of the offense and a reasonable time to prepare her defense.
Doherty asserts a similar argument as DHS (she apparently joined in DHS's motion to amend judgment filed below) and alleges that bias on the part of the trial court necessitates that the contempt order be set aside. For the same reasons expressed as to DHS above, we affirm the trial court here.