Phi Ngo and Xuan Trinh Versus Mark Spears Through the Office of Attorney General Jeff Landry

• Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
• Decided: June 29, 2022
• Docket: 22-C-183
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

PHI NGO AND XUAN TRINH NO. 22-C-183

VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT

MARK SPEARS THROUGH THE OFFICE OF COURT OF APPEAL ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF LANDRY STATE OF LOUISIANA

June 29, 2022

Susan Buchholz First Deputy Clerk

IN RE MARK SPEARS THROUGH OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF LANDRY

APPLYING FOR SUPERVISORY WRIT FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, DIRECTED TO THE HONORABLE SCOTT U. SCHLEGEL, DIVISION "D", NUMBER 822-927

Panel composed of Judges Jude G. Gravois, Hans J. Liljeberg, and John J. Molaison, Jr.

WRIT GRANTED; JUDGMENT REVERSED; EXCEPTION OF NO CAUSE OF ACTION SUSTAINED; CLAIMS DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE; REQUEST FOR STAY DENIED

Relator/defendant, Justice of the Peace Mark Spears, through the Office of

Attorney General Jeff Landry, seeks this Court’s supervisory review of the trial

court’s April 25, 2022 judgment which denied his peremptory exception of no

cause of action. For the reasons that follow, we reverse the trial court’s judgment

denying the peremptory exception of no cause of action, sustain the exception of

no cause of action, and dismiss all claims against Mr. Spears with prejudice. We

further deny Mr. Spears’s request for a stay of the trial court proceeding as moot.

On November 18, 2021, plaintiffs, Phi Ngo and Xuan Trinh, filed a petition

for damages and declaratory relief, naming as a defendant Mark Spears, in his

individual capacity and his official capacity as Justice of the Peace of the Second

Justice Court for the Parish of Jefferson. Plaintiffs asserted the following allegations in the petition: Ronnie and Erica Cancienne1 filed a statement of claim

with the Jefferson Parish Second Justice Court, against a number of individuals.

Mr. Ngo was not named as a defendant and no citation was issued to him.

Subsequently, the Canciennes filed a motion and order to set the matter for trial

which Mr. Spears signed; Mr. Ngo was again not named as a defendant. Because

Mr. Ngo did not answer the statement of claim and did not appear at the trial, Mr.

Spears signed a judgment of default against Mr. Ngo, finding him liable for

$5,000.00 plus interest. Mr. Ngo never received notice of the judgment.

Thereafter, the Canciennes filed a rule to show cause to establish community

obligation of spouse, against Ms. Trinh. Ms. Trinh did not receive notice of the

pleading. After Mr. Ngo received notice, he met with Mr. Spears, and Mr. Spears

encouraged Mr. Ngo to make an oral motion to nullify the default judgment at the

rule to show cause hearing instead of filing a petition to nullify the default

judgment. At the rule to show cause hearing, Mr. Ngo made an oral motion to

nullify the default judgment, which Mr. Spears denied. Mr. Spears then signed a

judgment establishing a community obligation and holding Ms. Trinh liable in

solido for the amount of the default judgment. The Canciennes then instituted

garnishment proceedings, which were approved by Mr. Spears. Plaintiffs were not

notified of the garnishment proceedings.

Plaintiffs brought the following claims in the petition against Mr. Spears: 1)

Mr. Spears was disqualified from his position as Justice of the Peace due to his

deficient oaths of office filing and recordation, and therefore, as it relates to the

present case, the default judgment, the judgment establishing community

obligation, and the rulings pertaining to the garnishment proceedings should all be

considered absolutely null; 2) due process violations under 42 U.S.C. §1983; 3)

1 The Canciennes were also named as defendants in the present suit. equal protection violations under 42 U.S.C. §1983; 4) due process violations under

Article 1, § 2 of the Louisiana Constitution; 5) equal protection violations under

Article 1, § 3 of the Louisiana Constitution; and 6) nullification of the default

judgment, the judgment establishing the community property obligation, and the

rulings pertaining to the garnishment proceedings based on lack of notice.

Plaintiffs alleged that they are entitled to declaratory relief consisting of the three

judgments in question being declared null and void and also to punitive and

compensatory damages and attorney’s fees.

In response, Mr. Spears filed a peremptory exception of no cause of action,

arguing that Mr. Spears, as a justice of the peace, enjoys absolute judicial

immunity. He argued that because the allegations of the petition all concerned

judicial functions and are not without complete absence of all jurisdiction,

plaintiffs’ claims are barred by the doctrine of judicial immunity. Following a

hearing on the exception,2 the trial court signed a written judgment on April 25,

2022, denying the exception of no cause of action.

The function of the peremptory exception of no cause of action is to test the

legal sufficiency of the petition, which is done by determining whether the law

affords a remedy on the facts alleged in the pleading. State, Div. of Admin., Office

of Facility Planning & Control v. Infinity Sur. Agency, L.L.C., 10-2264 (La.

5/10/11), 63 So.3d 940, 945. No evidence may be introduced to support or

controvert an exception of no cause of action. La. C.C.P. art. 931. The court

reviews the petition and accepts the well-pleaded allegations of fact as true.

Khoobehi Properties, LLC v. Baronne Dev. No. 2, L.L.C., 16-506 (La. App. 5 Cir.

3/29/17), 216 So.3d 287, 297, writ denied, 17-0893 (La. 9/29/17), 227 So.3d 288.

In reviewing the judgment of the trial court relating to an exception of no cause of

2 The writ application does not include a transcript of this hearing. action, appellate courts should conduct a de novo review because the exception

raises a question of law and the lower court’s decision is necessarily based solely

on the sufficiency of the petition. Id. The issue at the trial of the exception is

whether, on the face of the petition, the plaintiff is entitled to the relief sought.

Whether the plaintiff can prove the allegations set forth in the petition is not

determinative of the exception of no cause of action. Wood v. Omni Bancshares,

Inc., 10-216 c/w 10-567 (La. App. 5 Cir. 4/26/11), 69 So.3d 475, 479-80. Because

the trial of the exception is solely on the face of the pleadings, the court may not go

beyond the petition to the merits of the case. Id.

A long line of United States Supreme Court cases acknowledges that,

generally, a judge is immune from a suit for money damages. Mireles v. Waco,

502 U.S. 9, 9-10, 112 S.Ct. 286, 287, 116 L.Ed.2d 9 (1991) (citations omitted).

Courts have consistently held that judicial immunity is an immunity from suit, not

just the ultimate assessment of damages. Mireles, 502 U.S. at 11, 112 S.Ct. at 288.

A judge, in whatever status in the judicial hierarchy, is immune from suit for

damages resulting from any act performed in the judicial role. McCoy v. City of

Monroe, 32,521 (La. App. 2 Cir. 12/8/99), 747 So.2d 1234, 1241, writ denied, 788

So.2d 441 (La. 2001). Judges are absolutely immune from 42 U.S.C. § 1983

liability for all acts performed within their subject matter jurisdiction, even if the

acts are malicious. Id. This immunity extends to justices of the peace as well as

those that sit on the Supreme Court and shields judges unless they act either in “the

clear absence of all jurisdiction over subject matter” or in a nonjudicial capacity.

Id., citing Moore v. Taylor, 541 So.2d 378 (La. App. 2d Cir.1989).3

There are only two circumstances under which judicial immunity may be

overcome. First, a judge is not immune from liability for non-judicial actions, i.e.,

3 See also Conques v. Hardy, 337 So.2d 627 (La. App. 3d Cir. 1976), where the Third Circuit found that a justice of the peace was protected by judicial immunity. actions not taken in the judge’s judicial capacity. Second, a judge is not immune

for actions, though judicial in nature, taken in the complete absence of all

jurisdiction. Mireles, 502 U.S. at 11-12, 112 S.Ct. at 288. Allegations of bad faith

or malice are not sufficient to overcome judicial immunity. Mireles, 502 U.S. at

11, 112 S.Ct. at 288. Whether an act by a judge is a “judicial” one relates to the

nature of the act itself, i.e., whether it is a function normally performed by a judge,

and to the expectations of the parties, i.e., whether they dealt with the judge in his

judicial capacity. Mireles, 502 U.S. at 12, 112 S.Ct. at 288.

The scope of a judge’s jurisdiction must be construed broadly where the

issue is the immunity of the judge. A judge will not be deprived of immunity

because the action he took was in error, was done maliciously, or was in excess of

his authority; rather, he will be subject to liability only when he has acted in the

“clear absence of all jurisdiction.” Stump v. Sparkman, 435 U.S. 349, 356-57; 98

S.Ct. 1099, 1105, 55 L.Ed.2d 331 (1978).

Justices of the peace have concurrent jurisdiction with the trial court in cases

where the amount in dispute does not exceed five thousand dollars. La. C.C.P. art.

4911; see also La. R.S. 13:2586. A justice of the peace who renders a judgment

shall retain original jurisdiction over that judgment, the enforcement, and

collection of garnishments, judgment debtor examinations, and the issuance of any

writ to enforce its judgment. La. R.S. 13:2586(E)(1).

Upon de novo review, we find that plaintiffs’ allegations in the petition

against Mr. Spears arise out of the underlying case in the Second Justice Court

action before Mr. Spears. Mr. Spears’s signing and issuing of the judgments in the

underlying case, including the rulings in the garnishment proceedings, were normal

functions of a justice of the peace and within his judicial capacity. Also his actions

were not performed in the clear absence of all jurisdiction. Thus, Mr. Spears is

entitled to judicial immunity. Further, though the petition seeks to declare the three judgments null and

void, the proper avenue to seek review of adverse judgments is applicable appellate

review/nullity actions, and not a declaratory action suit against the justice of the

peace.

Plaintiffs also claim in their petition that Mr. Spears was disqualified from

his position as justice of the peace for failure to file his oath of office pursuant to

La. R.S. 42:141 and La. R.S. 42:162, and as such, the judgments in question should

be declared absolutely null. A public officer’s failure to qualify under La. R.S.

42:141 will not vitiate his acts if he fulfills the requirements of a de facto officer.

Cossich v. Plaquemines Par. Gov’t, 09-1522 (La. App. 4 Cir. 10/8/10), 50 So.3d

869, 877, writ denied, 11-0003 (La. 2/18/11), 57 So.3d 334 (citing Thibodeaux v.

Comeaux, 243 La. 468, 145 So.2d 1 (La. 1962); State v. Hargis, 179 La. 623, 154

So. 628 (La. 1934)). For reasons of public policy, the acts of a de facto officer are

valid as to third persons and the public until the officer’s title to office is adjudged

insufficient. In the meantime, the officer’s authority may not be collaterally

attacked or inquired into by third persons. State v. Johnson, 249 La. 950, 192

So.2d 135 (1966), writ denied, 388 U.S. 923, 87 S.Ct. 2144, 18 L.Ed.2d 1374

(1967). Thus, even accepting the allegations of plaintiffs’ petition on this claim as

true, plaintiffs’ petition fails to state a cause of action on this claim as well.

DECREE

For the foregoing reasons, we find that plaintiffs’ petition failed to state a

cause of action against Mr. Spears, and the trial court thus erred in denying Mr.

Spears’s exception of no cause of action. Accordingly, we reverse the trial court’s

judgment denying the peremptory exception of no cause of action, sustain the

exception of no cause of action, and dismiss all claims against Mr. Spears with

prejudice. We further deny Mr. Spears’s request for a stay of the trial court proceeding

as moot.

Gretna, Louisiana, this 29th day of June, 2022.

JGG HJL JJM SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL

CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT

MARY E. LEGNON FREDERICKA H. WICKER INTERIM CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK JUDE G. GRAVOIS MARC E. JOHNSON ROBERT A. CHAISSON SUSAN S. BUCHHOLZ STEPHEN J. WINDHORST FIRST DEPUTY CLERK HANS J. LILJEBERG JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR. FIFTH CIRCUIT MELISSA C. LEDET JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053) DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF POST OFFICE BOX 489 GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400

(504) 376-1498 FAX www.fifthcircuit.org

NOTICE OF DISPOSITION CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE DISPOSITION IN THE FOREGOING MATTER HAS BEEN TRANSMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 4-6 THIS DAY 06/29/2022 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, THE TRIAL COURT CLERK OF COURT, AND AT LEAST ONE OF THE COUNSEL OF RECORD FOR EACH PARTY, AND TO EACH PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:

22-C-183 E-NOTIFIED 24th Judicial District Court (Clerk) Hon. Scott U. Schlegel (DISTRICT JUDGE) Vladimir Thomas (Respondent) Justin Lester (Relator)

MAILED Ronnie Cancienne (Respondent) Honorable Jeffrey M. Landry (Relator) Erin C. Day (Relator) Erica Cancienne (Respondent) Attorney General Brett Robinson (Relator) In Proper Person Louisiana Department of Justice Attorney at Law 137 Cottonwood Drive Post Office Box 94005 Post Office Box 94005 Gretna, LA 70056 Baton Rouge, LA 70804 Baton Rouge, LA 70804

Erin C. Day (Respondent) Brett Robinson (Respondent) Attorney at Law Post Office Box 94005 Baton Rouge, LA 70804 r • Complete items 1, 2, and 3. • Print your name and address on the reverse 0 Agent so that we. can retucn the card to you. ~CT:J--+'"4~Llod(,L~--.L..~,J.£.....,..__ oAdd~ • Attach this card to the back of the mailpiece, C. Date of Delivery or on the front if space permits. 1. Article Addnissed to: D. Is W'

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• Complete Items 1, 2, and 3. A Signature 0 Agent • Print your name and address on the reverse so that we can return the card to you. x a Addressee B. Received by (Printed Name) C. Date of Oellw;;:y • Attach this card to the back of the mailplece, or on the front if space permits. 1. Article Addressed to: D. Is deliYel)' address different from item 1? 0 Yes ~ If YES, enter deltvery address ~: 0 No Erica Cancienne Ronnie Cancienne 13 7 Cottonwood Drive Gretna, LA 70056 22-C-183 06-29·22

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