City of Berkley v. Holmes

191 N.W.2d 561, 34 Mich. App. 417, 1971 Mich. App. LEXIS 1624

• Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
• Decided: June 23, 1971
• Docket: Docket 9664, 9791
• Status: Published

Opinion

J. H. Gillis, P. J.

Plaintiff is a home rule city incorporated pursuant to MCLA § 117.1 et seq. (Stat Ann 1970 Cum Supp § 5.2071 et seq.). Defendant served as the municipal judge of the City of Berkley from January 20, 1966 to April 17, 1967, during which time he was paid a salary by plaintiff. In addition to his salary, defendant received and retained $1,538.90, paid to his court by the Oakland County Treasurer for the processing of criminal cases which arose under state law. Plaintiff filed suit to recover these monies, claiming them to be wrongfully retained by defendant.

There has been a plethora of motions and counter-motions associated with this litigation. Defendant’s answer was accompanied by a motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff then countered with a similar motion, and defendant counterclaimed by requesting certain declaratory relief. On December 1, 1969, the trial court granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment and ordered plaintiff’s claim for return of the $1,538.90 dismissed with prejudice. On April 15, 1970, the trial court granted partial declaratory judgment on defendant’s counterclaim. On May 27,1970, that court denied plaintiff’s motion to set aside and vacate the court’s order of partial declaratory relief, and issued a further order granting partial payment of defendant’s legal fees. On June 15, 1970, the trial court entered an order for further declaratory relief and ordered additional attorney’s fees to be paid by plaintiff. A month later, the lower court entered an order refusing to either amend or stay enforcement of its prior order of partial declaratory judgment, and granted further attorney’s fees.

Plaintiff commenced two appeals as of right, attacking all orders entered by the trial court. The issues raised are considered seriatim:

I

Whether the defendant properly retained, as additional personal income, the $1,538.90 paid to his court for the processing of state criminal cases?

This issue arose from a dispute as to the proper interpretation of the City of Berkley Charter, ch 8, § 8.2, which reads in part:

“Said justice of the peace shall be an attorney, admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court of the State of Michigan. The justice of the peace shall be paid a salary initially by the city in the amount of seven thousand dollars ($7,000) per annum, subject to change by ordinance as hereinafter provided; this compensation to be in lieu of all costs, fees and charges to which said justice would otherwise be entitled, except fees for the performance of marriage ceremonies and administering oaths which are not connected with proceedings or suits in the court. Court fees may be set by the council by ordinance.

“The council, by ordinance, shall have the right to fix the compensation of the justice, and such compensation shall be in no event less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) per annum. The determination of the compensation to the justice shall be accomplished not less than 30 days before the last day for filing nominating petitions for election to the office of justice of the peace at any election in which a justice of the peace is to be elected, or in the case of a vacancy in the office prior to any appointment to fill such vacancy. All moneys received by said court or justice thereof, except fees for the performance of marriage ceremonies and administering oaths which are not connected with proceedings or suits in the court, and except moneys received in criminal cases arising out of state law, shall be paid into the city treasury in such manner as the council may prescribe by ordinance. The justice shall make an itemized monthly report to the city council in such manner as the council shall prescribe by ordinance, of all moneys collected and all proceedings before this court.” 1

Home rule cities can set salaries to be paid municipal judges in lieu of the fee system. MCLA § 87.38 (Stat Ann 1971 Cum Supp § 5.1695); MCLA § 730.508 (Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 27.3937[8]); MCLA §§ 730.501, 730.501a (Stat Ann 1962 Rev §§ 27.3937 [1], 27.3937[la]).

Further, MCLA § 117.28 (Stat Ann 1971 Cum Supp § 5.2107) provides salaries shall be paid in lieu of all fees, both civil and criminal.

“ [T]o which said judge or justice might be entitled but for the provisions of this act, which fees in civil cases shall be collected by said judge or justice and turned over by him to the city treasurer of said city on the first and fifteenth of each month, and which fees in criminal cases shall be charged and presented to and audited by the board of supervisors of the county in which said court is situated, in the same manner and amounts as provided by law in the case of justices of the peace in townships, and upon allowance by said board of supervisors, shall be paid monthly, by said county to the treasurer of said city for the use and benefit of said city, and who shall turn over to the county treasurer of such county all costs and fines in state criminal cases, and who shall turn over to the city treasurer of such city all costs and fines in city ordinance or charter cases.” 2

The trial court erred in interpreting the City of Berkley Charter, ch 8, § 8.2:

“All monies received by said court or justice thereof, except fees for the performance of marriage ceremonies and administering oaths which are not connected with proceedings or suits in the court, and except monies received in criminal cases arising out of state law, shall be paid into the city treasury in such manner as the counsel may prescribe by ordinance.”

Plaintiff correctly argues that the compensation paid defendant was exclusive, excepting only fees from marriage ceremonies and the administration of oaths unconnected with court proceedings. The $1,538.90 retained by defendant for the processing of state criminal cases properly belonged to the city. The defendant’s construction of the city charter provision in question will not be allowed to convert the plain meaning of the provision, i.e., that the fees paid to the municipal court should have been paid monthly by the county directly to the city treasurer. Stearns v. Vincent (1927), 237 Mich 390. The county’s sending these proceeds directly to defendant does not circumvent the fact that these fees properly belonged to plaintiff. Harrison v. Board of Supervisors of Chippewa County (1908), 151 Mich 91.

Neither party to this suit alleges that defendant fraudulently misappropriated these funds. Certainly we do not suggest or imply that any such criminal intent could be found in the record now before us. Rather, we hold only that defendant’s retention of these moneys was based upon an incorrect interpretation of controlling sections of the city charter and state statutes.

Plaintiff also argues on appeal that defendant’s motion for summary judgment on this issue did not conform with GrCR 1963,117. Because of our ruling that the trial court erred as a matter of law in entering summary judgment for defendant, it becomes unnecessary to determine the sufficiency of the motion itself.'

II

Whether the trial court’s order granting defendant’s motion for certain declaratory relief was proper9

Courts, confronted with motions for declaratory relief, have generally held that they will not decide issues pertaining to future rights, especially in matters where the interest of the party seeking such relief is merely contingent upon the happening of some event. Hodges v. Hamblen County (1925), 152 Tenn 395 (277 SW 901); Washington-Detroit Theatre Company v. Moore (1930), 249 Mich 673; Grosse Pointe Shores v. Ayres (1931), 254 Mich 58. An examination of defendant’s counterclaim reveals, in general, only that the litigants’ claims do not coexist compatibly. A justiciable controversy might well be found absent amid the myriad claims and counterclaims, motions, and opposing motions which comprise the record and briefs now before us. However, to so rule would merely delay inevitable litigation. This Court has jurisdiction in the interest of the administration of justice and the avoidance of much future litigation, GrCR 1963, 820.1(7), to act upon defendant’s petition for a declaration of rights. Wayne Circuit Judges v. Wayne County (1969), 383 Mich 10, 19-20; Callaghan’s Michigan Pleading and Practice, § 69.12; Cyclopedia of Federal Procedure, §§ 90.02-90.05. We act in this matter so that the sections of the city-charter which have been in dispute will be read, in the future, harmoniously with existing state statutes.

“The judiciary is an independent department of the State, deriving none of its judicial powers from either of the other 2 departments. This is true although the legislature may create courts under the provisions of the Constitution. The judicial powers are conferred by the Constitution and not by the act creating the court. The rule is well settled that under our form of government the Constitution confers on the judicial department all the authority necessary to exercise its powers as a co-ordinate branch of the government. It is only in such a manner that the independence of the judiciary can be preserved. The courts cannot be hampered or limited in the discharge of their functions by either of the other 2 branches of government.” Gray v. Clerk of Common Pleas Court (1962), 366 Mich 588, 595.

Municipal courts are not created by the Constitution, but are only authorized and permitted by it. They derive all of their power from the Legislature and exist at its pleasure. Nichols v. Judge of Superior Court of Grand Rapids (1902), 130 Mich 187; In re Harrand (1931), 254 Mich 584, 590; People v. Holbrook (1964), 373 Mich 94. However, once municipal courts are established, 3 they exist as a co-equal branch of local government. Mich Const 1963, art 6, § 26. The City of Berkley Charter, ch 3, § 3.1, designates that the municipal court judge is an elected officer of the city, and, therefore, he is not an employee. OAG 1955-1956, No 1979, p 616 (Nov 7, 1955). 4 The judge of the municipal court is vested with part of the judicial powers of this state and, therefore, in the performance of these powers and their related administrative duties, the court here in question belongs to the judicial branch of government. Township of Dearborn v. Dearborn Township Clerk (1952), 334 Mich 673; Superx Drugs v. Pharmacy Board (1963), 372 Mich 22, 24, 25.

The city, by its own charter, is obliged to furnish a suitable court facility, City of Berkley Charter, ch 8, § 8.6, and a city attorney in the prosecution of all ordinance cases tried before the municipal judge, City of Berkley Charter, ch 7, § 7.6(b). The municipal judge, as an officer of the city, City of Berkley Charter, ch 3, § 3.1, shall control the court’s budget, as any other municipal officer would control his budget, pursuant to policies outlined in the City of Berkley Charter, ch 10, § 10.2 et seq. Appropriations can be challenged by applying the practical necessity test, Wayne Circuit Judges v. Wayne County, supra, p 23; Pennsylvania v. Tate (Pa Sup Ct, 1971), 39 Law Week 2499. The appointment of substitute judges is also controlled by statute, MCLA §§ 730.506 and 730.507 (Stat Ann 1962 Rev §27-.3937 [6] and 27.3937 [7]).

Further, the clerk of the court is appointed by the municipal legislative body, first being nominated for office by the judge (s) he shall serve. 5 After appointment, the clerk is under the control and direction of the municipal court. MCLA § 730.201 (Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 27.3901). Other court personnel also serve at the pleasure of the court, Beck v. Keidan (1921), 215 Mich 13; 3 Antieau, Municipal Corporation Law, § 26.05, p 462. The scope of this administrative control is subject to adjudicative challenge, Wayne Circuit Judges v. Wayne County, supra.

The trial court held the City of Berkley Charter, ch 8, § 8.2, unconstitutional as it applied to the vacation of the office of municipal judge upon failure to pay monies into the city treasury and to make financial reports as required. The lower court also held ch 8, § 8.8, of the same charter, unconstitutional.

The City of Berkley Charter, ch 8, § 8.8, provides, in part, that the city council shall exercise certain power and authority over the operation of the court where such is not inconsistent with the general laws of this State. Interference with the administrative operation of the court is inconsistent with state statutes, and should be avoided. 6 Likewise, while the council may provide for a method of payment of monies received by the municipal court to the city treasurer, City of Berkley Charter, ch 8, § 8.2, that method cannot be coupled with a penalty which would be in excess of statutory authority, MCLA § 117.31 (Stat Ann 1949 Rev § 5.2111). 7

III

Whether the trial court’s order granting defendant’s motion for attorney fees and costs was properf

We appreciate the difficulty of defendant’s plight. Yet, we also note that private parties who pursue individual legal and equitable remedies must bear the expenses of such litigation, subject to statutory provisions which provide otherwise. MCLA § 600-.2401 (Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 27A.2401); GrCR 1963, 526.1. No statutory authority exists to support the trial court’s award of attorney fees to defendant in this instance, MCLA § 600.2405(6) (Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 27A.2405).

The trial court abused its discretion in granting attorney’s fees, in any amount, to defendant. 8 Public officials who pursue or defend personal suits must bear their own legal expenses. 9 To permit otherwise would allow the defendant to burden his municipality with legal expenses incurred unilaterally, and over which it would have no legislative control.

However, if, from the outset, defendant intended the city to pay his legal expenses, then he was bound to follow the city charter and ordinance provisions which govern contracting procedures, City of Berkley Charter, ch 15, § 15.3. Only after a refusal by the city could defendant be heard to raise the equitable and constitutional legal arguments with which he now confronts us. The voluminous record before us is devoid of any evidence that the defendant attempted to follow this procedure.

Plaintiff’s cause of action was filed against defendant acting in an individual capacity, and reference to his office was descriptio personae. Stone v. Interstate Natural Gas Co. (1939), 103 F2d 544, aff’d 308 US 522 (60 S Ct 292, 84 L Ed 442). Defendant, on the other hand, raised the defense of separation of powers and interference with office. The expenses incurred in raising this defense, and our rulings on the same, require us, in fairness to both litigants, to reverse the order of the trial court. Defendant should pay all the legal expenses incurred pursuant to the individual contractual agreement he struck with his attorney.

Similarly, it was an abuse of discretion to allow costs, in this, a public question. Township of Dearborn v. Dearborn Township Clerk, supra, p 693; City of Muskegon v. Slater (1967), 379 Mich 466, 471; Harvey v. Lewis (In re Disqualification of Judge) (1968), 10 Mich App 23, 33; 22 Am Jur 2d, Declaratory Judgments, § 101, p 970.

Eeversed, modified, and remanded for proceedings not inconsistent herewith. No costs, this being a public question.

All concurred.

1 Justice of the peace courts were changed to municipal courts, and their officeholders’ title changed to “judge” with the passage of MCLA § 730.501 (Stat Ann 1948 Rev § 27.3937[1]). The City of Berkley Charter has not redesignated its office of justice of the peace to conform with this statute.

2 The amendment which preceded defendant’s assumption of office, the 1965 amendment, did not change the language in this statute which is pertinent to this litigation, i.e., the phrases concerning the setting of salary in lieu of all fees with the same exceptions as appear in the quotation here cited. Historical note to MCLA § 117.28

(Stat Ann 1971 Cum Supp § 5.2107). Therefore, the provisions here at issue are similar to those that were at issue during the time defendant held the office of municipal judge.

3 Municipal courts are considered local offices solely for nomination and election to office, and for matters of jurisdiction. Attorney General Guy (1952), 334 Mich 694; Ball v. Trenton City Clerk (1965), 1 Mich App 1; OAG 1963-1964, No 4205, p 370 (April 21, 1964).

4 Unlike City of Livonia v. Clark (1968), 15 Mich App 342, which plaintiff heavily relies upon, there is no contract of employment between a judge and the municipality which he serves.

5 Appointment of clerks for municipal courts in home rule cities can be governed by pertinent charter provisions. Such provisions for appointment will take precedence over MCLA § 730.201 (Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 27.3901). Lewicki v. Matulewicz (1948), 321 Mich 388.

6 MCLA § 730.1 et seq. (Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 27.3751 et seq.)

7 If the judge has abused his office, he is subject to superintending control, Const 1963, art 6, § 4, and GCB 1963, 930, or disciplinary action by the Judicial Tenure Commission, Const 1963, art 6, § 30, and GCB 1963, 932.

8 Unlike the parties in Bond v. Ann Arbor School District (1970), 383 Mich 693, 705, who, the Court felt, proceeded in the legal foray in pursuit of the best interests of the public.

9 67 CJS, Officers, § 132, p 428.