California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from Laupheimer v. State of California, 200 Cal.App.3d 440, 246 Cal.Rptr. 82 (Cal. App. 1988):
" 'The fundamental requisite of due process of law is the opportunity to be heard.' [Citation.] This right to be heard has little reality or worth unless one is informed that the matter is pending and can choose for himself whether to appear or default, acquiesce or contest." What is required is "notice reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties of the pendency of the action and afford them an opportunity to present their objections. [Citations.] The notice must be of such nature as reasonably to convey the required information [citation], and it must afford a reasonable time for those interested to make their appearance [citations]. But if with due regard for the practicalities and peculiarities of the case these conditions are reasonably met, the constitutional requirements are satisfied." (Mullane v. Central Hanover Tr. Co. (1950) 339 U.S. 306, 314-315, 70 S.Ct. 652, 654, 94 L.Ed. 865.)
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