Opinion ID: 1833609
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Should this Court tax Goodin with the costs of this appeal and award statutory damages if it affirms the chancellor's decision?

Text: ¶ 29 DHS, the Appellee, has requested this Court to order Goodin to pay the costs incurred on this appeal and appropriate statutory damages if this Court affirms the chancellor's decision. This Court finds DHS' motion well-taken and assesses Goodin with the costs of appeal and appropriate statutory damages. ¶ 30. The Mississippi Rules of Appellate Procedure provide that all costs shall be taxed against the appellant unless otherwise ordered if the judgment is affirmed. Miss. R.App. P. 36(a). While this Court possesses discretion in awarding or denying costs, this Court generally assesses costs against the unsuccessful appellant absent special circumstances. Northern Elec. Co. v. Phillips, 673 So.2d 1384, 1385 (Miss.1996). In regard to statutory damages, where a judgment is affirmed on appeal, the appellant should be assessed a 15% damages penalty. Miss.Code Ann. § 11-3-23 (1991). ¶ 31. In the case sub judice, this Court affirms the chancellor's enforcement of the Arizona child support order, and orders Goodin to pay the costs incurred by DHS on this appeal and appropriate statutory damages as this Court finds no special circumstances to warrant a different ruling.