Dustin v. Beckstrand

654 P.2d 368, 103 Idaho 780, 1982 Ida. LEXIS 304

• Court: Idaho Supreme Court
• Decided: August 27, 1982
• Docket: 13824
• Status: Published

Opinions

SHEPARD, Justice.

This is an appeal from an order denying a motion to vacate a judgment. We affirm in part, reverse in part and remand.

The genesis of this action arose in 1977 when defendants sold to plaintiff a farm and personal property at a price of $150,000. As a part of that sale, defendants were required to turn over to plaintiff a number of shares in the Big Wood Canal Company representing water appurtenant to the land. A quarrel broke out almost immediately between the parties, resulting from defendants’ refusal to turn over certain of the personal property and defendants’ attempts to sell the same property to other persons. Plaintiff brought an action against defendants and recovered a judgment of some $4,000. In 1977, plaintiff Dustin entered negotiations with third parties for the sale of the real property. Defendants made efforts to prevent that sale and entered into a pattern of behavior intended to delay and prevent the consummation of that sale, which conduct included a refusal to transfer the shares of the Big Wood Canal Company water stock. Defendants had obtained possession of the shares of water stoek, refused to convey them to the plaintiff and denied having possession of the stock. During the spring and summer of 1978, plaintiff, the prospective purchasers, and plaintiff’s attorneys, on numerous occasions sought to gain transfer of the stock from defendants to plaintiffs; however, defendants refused to convey the stock, denying they had possession of it. Denial of conveyance of the stock delayed the consummation of the sale from plaintiff to third parties.

The instant action was filed November 15, 1978, wherein plaintiff sought the performance of defendants in conveying the water stock to the plaintiff and for damages. Service of process was made on defendants and a handwritten, pro se answer was filed by defendants in which they essentially denied failure and refusal to turn over the water stock, denied having possession of the water stock, and conditionally stipulated that the court could order the transfer of the water stock, but only if plaintiff’s claim for damages was dismissed. Therein the defendants stated: “Our present address is Box 111, Missionary Training Center, Provo, Utah 84601.”

Thereafter on January 5, counsel for plaintiff filed a note of issue and request for trial setting. Included therein was an indication of the estimated time of trial, the nature of the action, and that a jury was not requested. Contained on this document was a certification that a copy had been mailed to defendants at P.O. Box 111, Provo, Utah; however, the designation “Missionary Training Center” was not contained thereon. At the same time, counsel for plaintiff filed a motion for partial summary judgment together with a notice of hearing on that motion. Those documents all were received by defendants and in response thereto, defendants filed two handwritten, pro se documents in which the defendants essentially reiterated their willingness to accede to the transfer of the water stock on the condition that the remaining claim for damages be dismissed. In the event the claim for damages was not dismissed, defendants indicated they intended to counterclaim, but no counterclaim was stated. It was stated therein:

“Before any trial dates are set, or before any hearings are set or heard, or any judgments given, other than the two choices given above, the Judge is disqualified from having anything more to do with this case, either of hearing any more arguments or giving any more rulings or judgments. * * * This is the final and last offer of the Defendants, for the Plaintiffs to accept this water stock and forevermore hold their peace, or forget that they should ever have it ... P.S. We have no idea what our address from this day on for a period of undetermined length.

* * * It is further stated that the defendants, Leonard Beckstrand and Burdette Beckstrand has sought counsel to represent them in this case, but have been unable to secure that counsel. If it is necessary for counsel to represent them; that counsel will not be available for a period of two years.” (Emphasis added.)

The defendants stated that neither they nor their counsel could be present at the hearing on the motion for summary judgment, “nor can they be for a period of two years.”

Approximately two days later, the defendants Beckstrand left the United States having no knowledge as to where they would be or at what address, other than in the country of Peru. On February 5, 1979, the trial court entered its order setting a trial date for the 14th of August, 1979, a copy of which order was sent to Leonard Beckstrand, Box 111, Provo, Utah, 84601. That mailing was returned to the court marked, “returned to sender, undeliverable as addressed, unable to forward.”

The record does not reflect and indeed defendants do not contend that following their departure from the United States they ever furnished or attempted to furnish the clerk of the court, the trial judge, the plaintiff, plaintiff’s counsel, or any other person associated with the litigation, an address at which they could be contacted or receive mail. During their absence from the United States, the Beckstrands were in at least two locations in Peru and one in Bolivia. Nevertheless, defendants admit that during the time they were in Peru, they received two communications from counsel for plaintiff, one of which notified them of a hearing on motion for summary judgment, and the other indicating plaintiff’s waiver of a jury trial. Following receipt of those notices, defendants continued to do nothing.

In the meantime, plaintiff’s motion for partial summary judgment was heard on the 22nd day of January, with defendants failing to appear either in person or by counsel, and said motion was granted. Notice thereof was mailed to defendants at an address in Arequipa, Peru, but was returned to the district court for lack of sufficient postage.

Thereafter, the matter came on for trial on the 14th day of August, 1979, before the trial court sitting without a jury. Defendants failed to appear either in person or through counsel. Following trial, findings of fact, conclusions of law and judgment were entered in favor of plaintiff and against defendants insofar as these parties are concerned, ordering defendants to convey the water stock to the plaintiff and awarding plaintiff $5,000 in general damages and $5,000 in punitive damages together with costs and attorney’s fees. The record does not disclose whether or not notice of the entry of that judgment was sent to defendants at any address, but defendants received actual notice of that judgment as of November 13, 1979.

Thereafter, the Beckstrands returned to the United States and on February 11,1980, counsel for Beckstrands filed an attempted appeal from the judgment and at the same time filed a motion to set aside judgment. The attempted appeal from the judgment was dismissed by this Court as untimely. Defendants’ motion to set aside judgment came on for hearing on May 28, 1980, at which no evidence was presented, but argument from counsel for both plaintiff and defendants was heard. Thereafter, the trial court entered its memorandum decision denying said motion to set aside the judgment.

It must be recalled that the sole issue on appeal from a denial of appellants’ Rule 60(b) motion to set aside the judgment against them is whether the trial court abused its discretion in denying the motion. Johnston v. Pascoe, 100 Idaho 414, 599 P.2d 985 (1979); Pullin v. City of Kimberly, 100 Idaho 34, 592 P.2d 849 (1979); Lisher v. Krasselt, 96 Idaho 854, 538 P.2d 783 (1975); Willis v. Willis, 93 Idaho 261, 460 P.2d 396 (1969). Accordingly, its decision will not be set aside absent a clear showing of abuse of discretion. A Rule 60(b) motion is not a substitute for a timely appeal.

Appellants first assert that the judgment should be set aside because they never received the notice of the court’s order setting the trial date. That notice was sent to Box 111, Provo, Utah, and returned as undeliverable. The Beckstrands argue that this was an incorrect address and that the court therefore failed to serve that notice at their “last known address” as required by Rule 5(b). First, it is not clear that this address, without the words “Missionary Training Center,” was so deficient that it could not be their “last known address.” The record reflects that the Beckstrands received the request for trial setting filed and served by plaintiff. The attached affidavit for mailing states that it was sent to P.O. Box 111, Provo, Utah. It would not be a clear abuse of discretion for the trial court to conclude that Box 111 was an adequate address at which the appellants could have been reached prior to their departure for South America.

Assuming, however, that the address was not the Beckstrands’ “last known address,” such does not require a reversal on the grounds of improper service under the facts of this case. Rule 5(b) states, in pertinent part:

“Service upon the attorney or upon a party shall be made by delivering a copy to him or by mailing it to him at his last known address or, if no address is known, by leaving it with the clerk of the court.”

Appellant’s interpretation of this sentence would have us ignore the last clause. As the Beckstrands were leaving this country they informed the court in writing that they did not know what their address would be from that day forward for an indeterminate period of time. Rule 5(b) permits service on the clerk of court when “no address is known.” The request for a trial date was filed with the clerk after it was returned from Utah. When parties disavow their mailing address and choose to do without the services of an attorney who might be counted upon to be contacted by the court, see Vanbeever v. DeWolf, 528 F.2d 932 (3d Cir.1976), they shoulder the responsibility of maintaining contact with the court to keep themselves apprised of the status of their case. Parties cannot be permitted to insulate themselves from ongoing court proceedings by telling the court “you can’t find me.” After the Beckstrands reached Peru, they had three separate addresses, yet never once informed the court what any of them was.

The appellants also assert that the judgment is void because due process was violated through the court’s failure to give them notice. Again we disagree. Due process requires “reasonable notice.” Prather v. Loyd, 86 Idaho 45, 50, 382 P.2d 910, 912 (1963). First, this case does not involve service of process. Here the Beckstrands had been validly served and were aware of the proceedings against them. Hence, appellants’ reliance on Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 U.S. 306, 70 S.Ct. 652, 94 L.Ed. 865 (1949), a case involving service of process, is misplaced. Mullane does state that the right to be heard is founded upon the right to be “informed that the matter is pending.” Id. at 314, 70 S.Ct. at 657 (emphasis added). Here there is no doubt that the Beckstrands were aware that the suit was pending.

The only question is whether it was reasonable to send notice of trial setting to an address at which the appellants had apparently received mail and then file the notice with the court. In light of the Beckstrands’ disavowal of their address, we hold that notice as provided in the instant case was reasonable.

Appellants also argue that the judgment was void because it was taken before a disqualified judge. I.R.C.P. 40(d)(1) permits parties to disqualify one judge without cause, simply by filing a motion citing this automatic disqualification rule. We hold that appellants’ attempted disqualification of the trial judge was ineffective. First, their pro se letter was not in motion form nor did it cite Rule 40(d)(1). Even assuming proper form, it was nevertheless ineffective. The Beckstrands told the court that it was permitted to either order the transfer of the stock in exchange for dismissal, or order that the defendants keep the stock, but if the court failed to comply with their demands, the judge so ruling was disqualified. Such a conditional disqualification finds no precedential approval nor can it be sanctioned by public policy. To permit a party to disqualify a judge after that party finds how the judge will rule on a matter before him would permit , forum shopping of the worst kind.

The attempted disqualification was also made without knowledge of which judge would be assigned to the case. Rule 40(d)(1) serves a salutary purpose in achieving a fair tribunal. However, a party cannot know whether there are reasons, which would engender doubts in his or in his counsel’s mind about the tribunal’s fairness until the party learns who is to be the judge. Absent any such reasons, disqualification serves only to delay the proceedings. This case offers a prime example of such attempted delays. The Beckstrands’ pro se demands clearly reveal their intent to delay this action for as long as possible and to prevent it from coming to trial. I.R.C.P. 1(a) states that the rules of civil procedure are to be construed “to secure the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of every action and proceeding.” To construe Rule 40(d)(1) to allow disqualification solely for delay would be contrary to the spirit of the rules. Hence, we hold that to disqualify a judge under Rule 40(d)(1), the judge who is to be disqualified must be named.

Appellants next argue that the court improperly awarded Dustin a judgment in the absence of a jury. In part we agree. Dustin demanded a jury trial in his original complaint. However, in his request for trial setting it was stated that a jury was no longer requested. In their pro se response the Beckstrands then demanded a jury. The trial was held without a jury after the Beckstrands failed to appear.

The procedural rules in some states expressly provide that failure to appear at trial constitutes waiver of the right to a jury trial. See Whitehead v. Bi-Petro Marketing, Inc., 356 So.2d 150 (Ala.1978); Doran v. Burke, 118 Cal.App.2d 806, 258 P.2d 1078 (1953); Wakefield v. State ex rel. Hall, 420 P.2d 490 (Okl.1966). I.R.C.P. 38(d) contains no such provision. It states:

“Rule 38(d). Waiver. — The failure of a party to serve a demand as required by this rule and to file it as required by Rule 5(d) constitutes a waiver by him of trial by jury. A waiver of trial by jury is not revoked by an amendment of a pleading asserting only a claim or defense arising out of the conduct, transaction, or occurrence set forth or attempted to be set forth in the original pleading. A demand for trial by jury made as herein provided may not be withdrawn without the consent of the parties.”

Similarly, Rule 39(a) sets forth the method of consenting to withdrawal of a previous demand for a jury. It states:

“When trial by jury has been demanded as provided in Rule 38, the actions shall be designated upon the register of actions as a jury action. The trial of all issues so demanded shall be by jury, unless (1) the parties or their attorneys of record, by written stipulation filed with the court or by an oral stipulation made in open court and entered in the record, consent to trial by the court sitting without a jury or (2) the court upon motion or of its own initiative finds that a right of trial by jury of some or all of those issues does not exist.”

Other courts, without waiver-by-failure-to-appear provisions in their rules, have held that when the defendant has demanded a jury, a subsequent failure to appear does not act as a waiver of the jury trial. North American Provision Co. v. Kinman, 288 Ill.App. 414, 6 N.E.2d 235 (1937); Matheny v. Greider, 115 W.Va. 763, 177 S.E. 769 (1934). In one case, waiver by defendant was found after his demand for a jury but there the defendant had stated just before trial that he “would not defend.” Peters v. Sturmur, 263 Mich. 494, 248 N.W. 875 (1932). The Beckstrands made no similar statement, either written or oral. Hence, we believe that the Beckstrands, having demanded a jury and not having consented to withdrawal of that demand, have not waived their right to a jury. We are not called upon to decide whether failure to appear in the absence of a demand would act as a waiver of the right to a jury. Compare Hill v. Vetter, 525 P.2d 529 (Alaska 1974) with Sykes v. Belk, 278 N.C. 106, 179 S.E.2d 439 (1971).

The conclusion that a jury was required at the trial does not compel a reversal of the entire judgment. If the court had impanelled a jury, upon hearing the evidence the court would have been required to direct a verdict for plaintiff, as the defendants were not there to interpose any defenses they might have had or submit conflicting testimony to be sorted out by the jury. See I.R.C.P. 50(a); cf. Shields & Co., Inc. v. Green, 100 Idaho 879, 606 P.2d 983 (1980); Lombard v. Cory, 95 Idaho 868, 522 P.2d 581 (1974). Plaintiff’s evidence introduced at trial clearly would support a directed verdict. Hence, the court’s failure to call a jury was harmless error on the issue of liability.

That does not mean that impanelling a jury would have been a useless act. The amount of damages was not a fixed amount. Determination of both compensatory and punitive damages, in such a case, is within the province of the jury. Thomas Helicopters, Inc. v. San Tan Ranches, 102 Idaho 567, 633 P.2d 1145 (1981); Bentzinger v. McMurtrey, 100 Idaho 273, 596 P.2d 785 (1979); Lombard v. Cory, 95 Idaho 868, 522 P.2d 581 (1974); Blaine v. Byers, 91 Idaho 665, 429 P.2d 397 (1967). Hence, this case must be remanded for a new trial on the issue of damages.

Attorney’s fees were awarded at the original trial. That award may stand. The allowance and amount of attorney’s fees is not a jury question. Based upon its finding that the defendants acted maliciously, the trial court could reasonably have believed, under the circumstances of this case, that the Beckstrands were defending frivolously, unreasonably or without foundation, and Dustin was the prevailing party at that action. I.R.C.P. 54(e)(1). We find no abuse of discretion in the award of attorney’s fees in the trial court.

Finally, appellants argue that they were denied their right to appeal because they did not receive notice of the judgment as required by I.R.C.P. 77(d). The rule specifically states that failure to comply will not relieve a party from the time limits for appeal unless the party had no actual notice. Here the trial court found that the Beckstrands had actual notice of the judgment against them on November 13, 1979, when they received a writ of execution which specifically set forth the case and the amount of damages awarded. We agree that this was sufficient notice to constitute “actual notice.” This Court has held that “[a]etual knowledge of a judgment will cause the time for appeal to begin to run even if formal notice pursuant to I.R.C.P. 77(d) has not been given.” Cline v. Roemer, 97 Idaho 666, 668, 551 P.2d 621, 623 (1976). Notice of appeal was not filed until February 11, 1980, almost three months after the Beckstrands had actual notice and long after the time limits had run.

The order of the trial court denying appellants’ Rule 60(b) motion is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded with instructions to conduct a new trial solely on the issue of damages. No costs or attorney’s fees on appeal.

McFADDEN and DONALDSON, JJ., concur.