Maine § 252. - Summary process where decree disobeyed; contempt

§ 252.. Summary process where decree disobeyed; contempt

Whenever a party or the Department of Health and Human Services, if it is subrogated to a party under Title 19‑A, chapter 65, subchapter II, article 3, complains in writing and under oath that the process, decree or order of court, which is not, except as provided in Title 19‑A, section 2101, for the payment of money only, has been disregarded or disobeyed by any person, summary process shall issue by order of any justice, requiring that person to appear on a day certain and show cause why that person should not be adjudged guilty of contempt. Such a process must fix a time for answer to the complaint and may fix a time for hearing on oral testimony, depositions or affidavits, or may fix successive times for proof, counterproof and proof in rebuttal, or the time for hearing and manner of proof may be subsequently ordered upon the return day or thereafter. The court may for good cause enlarge the time for the hearing. If the person summoned does not appear as directed or does not attend the hearing at the time appointed as enlarged, or if, upon hearing, the person is found guilty of such disregard or disobedience, the person must be adjudged in contempt and the court may issue a capias to bring the person before it to receive sentence and may punish the person by any reasonable fine or imprisonment the case requires. The court may allow the offender to give bail to appear at a time certain, when the punishment may be imposed if the person continues in contempt; but when a second time found guilty of contempt in disregarding or disobeying the same order or decree, no bail may be allowed. When the person purges that contempt, the justice may remit the fine or imprisonment or any portion thereof. Appeal from any order or decree or judgment under this section must be governed by the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. Such an appeal may not suspend the enforcement of any such order or decree unless the court so directs.   [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. D, §13 (AMD); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6 (REV).]