judge robert n. scola, jr. february 10, 2010. identify types of contempt advise judges how to...
TRANSCRIPT
Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr.
February 10, 2010
• IDENTIFY TYPES OF CONTEMPT
• ADVISE JUDGES HOW TO CONDUCT HEARING FOR EACH KIND OF CONTEMPT
• PREPARE WRITTEN ORDER
• IMPOSE APPROPRIATE SANCTIONS
WHAT IS CONTEMPT?
•Refusal to obey legal order, mandate or decree by Judge. Section 38.23 Florida Statutes
•An act tending to embarrass, hinder or obstruct the court.
KINDS OF CONTEMPT
EVERY CONTEMPT IS EITHER
•DIRECT OR INDIRECT
AND
•CRIMINAL OR CIVIL
DIRECT V. INDIRECT CONTEMPT
•DIRECT CONTEMPT OCCURS IN THE PRESENCE OF THE COURT
•INDIRECT CONTEMPT OCCURS OUTSIDE THE PRESENCE OF THE COURT
CRIMINAL V. CIVIL CONTEMPT•CRIMINAL CONTEMPT IS DESIGNED TO
PUNISH OR VINDICATE THE AUTHORITY OF THE COURT
•CIVIL CONTEMPT IS DESIGNED TO COMPEL COMPLIANCE WITH A COURT ORDER OR COMPENSATE AGGRIEVED PARTY
•THERE CAN BE CRIMINAL CONTEMPT IN A CIVIL CASE OR CIVIL CONTEMPT IN A CRIMINAL CASE
DIRECT CIVIL CONTEMPT
•OCCURS IN THE PRESENCE OF THE COURT
•NO STATUTE, RULE OR CASE LAW SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZING
•ONLY MENTIONED IN ONE CASE
SCENARIO 1
•AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF INCARCERATION IS A VALID SANCTION TO COERCE COMPLIANCE WITH A COURT ORDER
•ORDER OF INCARCERATION MUST CONTAIN PURGE PROVISION
FORMER HUSBAND REFUSES TO OBEY DIRECT ORDER IN OPEN COURT TO SIGN FORM NAMING FORMER WIFE AS BENEFICIARY OF PENSION. CAN HE BE INCARCERATED UNTIL HE SIGNS?
SCENARIO 2
•CIVIL CONTEMPT IS MEANT TO COERCE, NOT PUNISH
•THE CONTEMNOR MUST HAVE THE PRESENT ABILITY TO COMPLY: HE MUST “HOLD THE KEY TO HIS OWN JAIL CELL” OR THE CONTEMPT BECOMES CRIMINAL CONTEMPT
FORMER HUSBAND RETIRES AND NOW CANNOT CHANGE BENEFICIARY. MUST HE BE RELEASED FROM
JAIL?
DIRECT CRIMINAL CONTEMPT•Occurs in the presence of the Judge
“Under the eye of the court”•Summary proceedings•Reserved for exceptional circumstances,
e.g. acts that threaten a judge, disrupt a hearing or obstruct court proceedings
•Must give contemnor opportunity to explain conduct before adjudication and must give contemnor opportunity to present mitigating circumstances before sentence
•Must be proven beyond reasonable doubt
SCENARIO 4VINNY FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT THE
JUDGE’S ORDER IS LEGALLY INCORRECT AND THAT IS WHY HE HAS VIOLATED IT.
CAN JUDGE STILL HOLD VINNY IN CONTEMPT?
•EVEN LEGALLY INCORRECT ORDER MUST BE FOLLOWED– PARTY MAY APPEAL
SCENARIO 5
•Rule 3.830 provides for summary proceeding in direct criminal contempt; taking recess converts action into indirect criminal contempt with additional procedural safeguards
PRO SE LITIGANT ASKS FOR A RECESS SO THAT HE CAN RETAIN COUNSEL. SHOULD
REQUEST BE GRANTED?
SCENARIO 6:COURT IMPOSES THE FOLLOWING
SENTENCE:
• 6 MONTHS IN JAIL• $750.00 FINE• ATTORNEY’S FEES TO OTHER PARTY• ORDER RESTRICTING VINNY FROM
APPEARING IN COURT AGAIN WITHOUT CO-COUNSEL
• REQUIRING VINNY TO WRITE 1000 TIMES “I WILL NOT DISOBEY THE JUDGE”
•JAIL SENTENCE OF 6 MONTHS: •775.02 AUTHORIZES SENTENCE NOT TO
EXCEED ONE YEAR FOR CONTEMPT.•NO JURY REQUIRED IF SENTENCE IS SIX
MONTHS OR LESS•FINE OF $750.00:• FINE MAY NOT EXCEED $500.00; 775.02•ATTORNEY’S FEES:•AWARD OF ATTORNEY’S FEES FOR
COURT’S WASTED TIME NOT PROPER FOR CRIMINAL CONTEMPT
ARE THE FOLLOWING SANCTIONS PROPER?
•RESTRICT ATTORNEY FROM APPEARING WITHOUT CO-COUNSEL:
• COURT MAY NOT RESTRICT ATTORNEY FROM PRACTICE OF LAW BY REQUIRING ATTORNEY TO APPEAR WITH CO-COUNSEL
•WRITING 1000 TIMES:• IMPROPER SANCTION: IF CONTRIVED
TO INSTILL CONTRITENESS-UNNECESSARY. IF CONTRIVED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE-ABUSE OF DISCRETION
SCENARIO 7
•THE JUDGMENT OF GUILT OF CONTEMPT SHALL INCLUDE A RECITAL OF THOSE FACTS UPON WHICH THE ADJUDICATION IS BASED:
•THESE COMMENTS ARE CONCLUSIONS, NOT FACTS.
•ORDER WAS LEGALLY INSUFFICIENT
VINNY’S JUDGE WRITES THE FOLLOWING ORDER: “VINNY HAS ENGAGED IN INJUDICIOUS, UNETHICAL AND INTEMPERATE CONDUCT.” IS
THIS SUFFICIENT?
ELEMENTS OF PROPERLY WRITTEN ORDER
• RECITATION OF SPECIFIC FACTS UPON WHICH THE CONTEMPT WAS BASED
• DEFENDANT AFFORDED OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES
• ADJUDICATION OF GUILT FOR CONTEMPT• SENTENCE IMPOSED• ADVISE OF RIGHT TO APPEAL WITHIN 30
DAYS AND RIGHT TO APPOINTED COUNSEL FOR APPEAL
SCENARIO 8MAY WITNESS BE HELD IN CONTEMPT
FOR PERJURY
• MERE FACT THAT COURT BELIEVES ONE WITNESS OVER ANOTHER IS INSUFFICIENT TO ESTABLISH CONTEMPT
• WHERE WITNESS’ TESTIMONY IN OPEN COURT WAS “DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE” TO HIS OWN PREVIOUS TESTIMONY, OK TO HOLD IN CONTEMPT
SCENARIO 9
IS DISRUPTION IN HALLWAY OUTSIDE COURT CONTEMPT?
•THERE MUST BE EVIDENCE THAT THE WORDS WERE DIRECTED AT THE COURT OR INTENDED TO INTERRUPT OR HINDER JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS
•WAS REMARK CALCULATED TO LESSEN COURT’S AUTHORITY OR DIGNITY?
•WHERE DEFENDANT KICKED DOOR AND TOLD BAILIFF “F … YOURSELF” OK TO HOLD IN CONTEMPT: CALCULATED TO LESSEN COURT’S AUTHORITY OR DIGNITY
SCENARIO 10CAN DEFENDANT BE HELD IN CONTEMPT
FOR SHOWING UP IN COURT WITH MARIJUANA IN SYSTEM?
• NO. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE HE WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE IN COURT OR HAD VIOLATED A COURT ORDER
• HOWEVER, DEFENDANT WHO PASSED OUT IN COURT BECAUSE HE “DID A LITTLE COKE” THAT MORNING COULD BE IN CONTEMPT BECAUSE HE OBSTRUCTED ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
SCENARIO 11
CAN ENTIRE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE BE HELD IN CONTEMPT OF COURT?
•ANY ACTIONS BY OTHERS IN THE SAO WOULD HAVE OCCURRED OUTSIDE THE PRESENCE OF THE COURT
SCENARIO 12
ONCE TRIAL RESUMES, JURY RETURNS VERDICT FOR DEFENDANTS. VINNY POUNDS TABLE AND YELLS “YES!!”
•UNLESS GIVEN SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS NOT TO DISPLAY REACTION TO VERDICT, CANNOT HOLD IN CONTEMPT
CAN HE BE HELD IN CONTEMPT FOR OUTBURST?
INDIRECT CIVIL CONTEMPT
• Occurs outside presence of the court•Meant to coerce compliance with court
order or compensate party•Willful refusal despite present ability to
comply•Contemnor “holds keys to his jail cell”•Because it is civil and not criminal,
contemnor is not entitled to the same due process rights
•INITIAL BURDEN IS ON MOVANT TO SHOW:•A. PRIOR COURT ORDER•B. FAILURE TO PAY
•THERE IS A PRESUMPTION BASED UPON PRIOR COURT ORDER OF ABILITY TO PAY
•BURDEN THEN SHIFTS TO RESPONDENT TO SHOW INABILITY TO PAY
SCENARIO 13
MOTHER FAILS TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT AND PRESENTS NO EVIDENCE OF
INABILITY TO PAY
•IF COURT FINDS A WILFUL VIOLATION, THERE MUST BE A SEPARATE, AFFIRMATIVE FINDING OF PRESENT ABILITY TO PAY THE PURGE AMOUNT
•COURT MUST SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO PAY THE PURGE AMOUNT
SCENARIO 13 (CONTINUED)
SCENARIO 14
• IF CONTEMNOR WILLFULLY DIVESTS HERSELF OF ABILITY TO COMPLY THROUGH HER OWN FAULT, WITH INTENT AND PURPOSE OF VIOLATING COURT ORDER, THIS IS NOT CIVIL CONTEMPT BECAUSE SHE NO LONGER HAS THE ABILITY TO COMPLY
•THIS WOULD CONSTITUTE INDIRECT CRIMINAL CONTEMPT
MOTHER SPENDS MONEY AT CASINO INSTEAD OF PAYING COURT ORDERED SUPPORT
SCENARIO 15
MAY CONTEMPT HEARING BE HELD AND INCARCERATION BE IMPOSED WHERE
CONTEMNOR FAILS TO APPEAR AT HEARING
• IN INDIRECT CIVIL CONTEMPT PROCEEDING:
•IF FATHER FAILS TO APPEAR AT HEARING AFTER PROPER NOTICE TO APPEAR, HE MAY BE HELD IN CONTEMPT AND A WRIT OF BODILY ATTACHMENT ISSUED
SCENARIO 16
IS ADDITIONAL HEARING REQUIRED WHEN FATHER IS ARRESTED 30 DAYS LATER?
•A CIVIL CONTEMNOR IS ENTITLED TO A HEARING TO DEMONSTRATE INABILITY TO COMPLY WITH PURGE PROVISIONS EVEN AFTER CONTEMPT…
•PARTICULARLY WHERE ORDER OF CONTEMPT WAS ENTERED A SUBSTANTIAL PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE ARREST
SCENARIO 17
MUST CONTEMPT BE PROVEN BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT WHERE JAIL
SENTENCE IS IMPOSED?
•BURDEN OF PROOF FOR CIVIL CONTEMPT IS PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE, REGARDLESS OF THE SANCTION
SCENARIO 18
MAY RETROACTIVE AND FUTURE FINES BE IMPOSED TO COERCE COMPLIANCE WITH
COURT’S DISCOVERY ORDER?
•IF FINE IS RETROACTIVE WITHOUT PURGE PROVISION, IT BECOMES CRIMINAL CONTEMPT
•IF FINE IS TO COERCE OR COMPENSATE AND ALLOWS FOR PURGE PROVISION, IT IS APPROPRIATE INDIRECT CIVIL CONTEMPT
SCENARIO 19
MAY CONTEMNOR BE SENTENCED TO INDEFINITE PERIOD OF INCARCERATION
FOR FAILURE TO PAY IF SHE HAS THE PRESENT ABILITY?
•SENTENCE OF INCARCERATION FOR INDIRECT CIVIL CONTEMPT MAY BE FOR A FIXED OR INDEFINITE PERIOD
•BUT SET FOR STATUS PERIODICALLY
SCENARIO 20
MAY PARTY BE HELD IN CONTEMPT FOR FAILING TO PAY COURT ORDERED DEBT?
•DEBTS NOT INVOLVING SUPPORT CANNOT BE ENFORCED BY COURT’S CONTEMPT POWER
•IF MATTER RELATES TO COURT’S EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION SCHEME, CONTEMPT IS NOT AVAILABLE
SCENARIO 21
IS PARTY ENTITLED TO COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY FOR INDIRECT CIVIL CONTEMPT
WHERE A JAIL SENTENCE IS POSSIBLE
•THOUGH RESPONDENT HAS A RIGHT TO OBTAIN COUNSEL, 14TH AMENDMENT DOES NOT REQUIRE THE COURT TO APPOINT COUNSEL FOR INDIGENT CIVIL CONTEMNOR
SCENARIO 22
MAY COURT ORDER PAYMENT OF EXPENSE OF RENTAL CAR WHERE HUSBAND FAILED TO
COMPLY WITH COURT ORDER?
•CIVIL CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS MAY BE USED TO EITHER:
•COMPENSATE INJURED PARTY FOR LOSSES SUSTAINED OR•COERCE OFFENDING PARTY TO COMPLY WITH PREVIOUS COURT ORDER
SCENARIO 23
MAY COURT CHANGE CUSTODY AS A SANCTION FOR VIOLATION OF A COURT ORDER
•CONTEMPT SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A BASIS FOR CHANGE OF CUSTODY
•ALL DECISIONS RELATING TO CUSTODY/VISITATION OF CHILDREN MUST BE MADE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN
ORDER OF INDIRECT CIVIL CONTEMPT
• STATE RESPONDENT HAS BEEN ADJUDICATED OF INDIRECT CIVIL CONTEMPT
•DATE OF ORIGINAL ORDER•AFFIRMATIVE FINDING OF WILLFUL VIOLATION•SPECIFIC FACTS OF VIOLATION•FINDING OF PRESENT ABILITY TO COMPLY•SEPARATE FINDING OF PRESENT ABILITY TO COMPLY
WITH PURGE PROVISIONS•SPECIFY SENTENCE (EITHER FIXED OR INDEFINITE)•SET PRECISE PURGE PROVISION•IDENTIFY SOURCE OF PURGE SATISFACTION
INDIRECT CRIMINAL CONTEMPT•This is a criminal charge and like any criminal
charge (except for direct criminal contempt) the full panoply of due process rights apply
•These rights include: right to counsel, right to jury trial (for more than 6 months jail)
•Designed to punish contemnor for conduct occurring outside presence of the court
•Burden of Proof: Beyond Reasonable Doubt
• YES, IF JUDGE HAS GOOD REASON TO BELIEVE SHE WILL NOT ATTEND HEARING, JUDGE SHOULD ISSUE WARRANT FOR CONTEMNOR’S ARREST OR WRIT OF BODILY ATTACHMENT
•UPON ARREST, CONTEMNOR IS ENTITLED TO BOND HEARING AND RELEASE UPON SAME CONDITIONS AS APPLY TO OTHER CRIMINAL CHARGES
SCENARIO 24
MAY JUDGE ORDER ARREST TO ENSURE APPEARANCE AT CONTEMPT HEARING?
• JUDGE MUST DISQUALIFY SELF ONLY IF THE CONTEMPT INVOLVES PERSONAL DISPRESPECT OR CRITICISM OF THE JUDGE
SCENARIO 25
MUST JUDGE RECUSE SELF FROM CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS?
•ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE BASED UPON UNSWORN AFFIDAVIT WAS LEGALLY INSUFFICIENT
•THINK ABOUT AN INFORMATION OR INDICTMENT IN CRIMINAL CASE
SCENARIO 26
MUST ALLEGATIONS IN ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE BE MADE UNDER OATH?
•TRIAL COURT VIOLATED DEFENDANT’S RIGHTS BY NOT ALLOWING ARGUMENT
•DEFENDANT ENTITLED TO SAME CONSTITUTIONAL DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS AS ANY OTHER CRIMINAL DEFENDANT
SCENARIO 27
MUST JUDGE ALLOW CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN NON-JURY INDIRECT
CONTEMPT TRIAL?
•INABILITY TO COMPLY IS A VALID DEFENSE UNLESS THE CONTEMNOR VOLUNTARILY CREATED THE INABILITY
SCENARIO 28
IS CLAIM OF INABILITY TO COMPLY A VALID DEFENSE TO CONTEMPT
•WHERE DEPUTY HAD TO BORROW DEPUTIES TO ASSIST IN THE COURTROOM, INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF INTENT TO VIOLATE AN ORDER
•HOWEVER, THE MERE FACT THE CONTEMNOR SAYS HE DID NOT HAVE INTENT IS NOT BINDING
SCENARIO 29
IS LACK OF INTENT TO VIOLATE ORDER A VALID DEFENSE TO CONTEMPT
• WRITTEN JUDGMENT OF CONTEMPT MUST INCLUDE A WRITTEN STATEMENT OF THE FACTS
•HOWEVER, WHERE SUFFICIENT ORAL FINDINGS ARE MADE ON THE RECORD, WRITTEN FINDINGS OF FACT NOT REQUIRED FOR INDIRECT CRIMINAL CONTEMPT
•THERE MUST BE A COURT REPORTER PRESENT SINCE THIS IS A CRIMINAL PROCEEDING
SCENARIO 30
ARE WRITTEN FINDINGS NECESSARY IF COURT ANNOUNCES FINDINGS ORALLY ON THE
RECORD?
•INDIRECT CRIMINAL CONTEMPT PROCEEDING MUST FULLY COMPLY WITH RULE 3.840 AND DEFENDANT IS ENTITLED TO COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL IF INDIGENT
SCENARIO 31
IS CONTEMNOR ENTITLED TO AN APPOINTED ATTORNEY?
•COURT MUST CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE SANCTIONS TO SECURE DETENTION
•ONLY UPON FINDING SUCH WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE OR UNAVAILABLE MAY COURT IMPOSE SECURE DETENTION
SCENARIO 32
MAY JUVENILE COURT JUDGE IMPOSE 15 DAY SENTENCE WITHOUT CONSIDERING
ALTERNATIVE SANCTIONS?