United States v. Melot (Katherine)

BACHARACH, Circuit Judge.

The district court sanctioned Mrs. Katherine L. Melot and Mr. Billy R. Melot based on the court’s inherent authority. The Melots appeal and seek leave to proceed in forma pauperis. We grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis and address the merits of the appeal.

This appeal requires examination of the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause, which requires notice and an opportunity to be heard. In light of these requirements, a court considering sanctions must give the sanctioned party notice and an opportunity to be heard. Here, the court supplied notice that it was…